* Suzanne Mathieson inside the new gallery named in honour of artist Dory Ross.
A new gallery in Llangollen named in memory of the artist who inspired
it will open later this month.
Liverpool-born Dory Ross died in February last year and his
partner Suzanne Mathieson says creating The Dory Gallery in the former
health centre in Regent Street has helped her get through the grieving process.
When its doors open to the public on Saturday June 26 Dory's own work
along with that of four other local artists will adorn its gleaming white
display areas.
The couple moved to Llangollen in 2017 after identifying the
building, which started its long life as a school in the 19th century, as the
perfect answer to a lack of work and display space at their former home in a
renovated cottage near Caernarfon.
Suzanne said: “Dory used to have his studio in a wooden
structure we’d built next to the cottage but after a while it wasn’t really
working for him. He was running out of space to work and hang his work so we started to search
the internet for something more spacious.
“We considered lots of different places, some as far away as
south Wales, and when we eventually found the former health centre in
Llangollen we both knew it was right for us and the sheer size of it gave us
all sorts of possibilities.”
After taking over the property around Christmas four years ago
the couple got a local builder to do some extensive internal reorganisation.
They also took on a few things themselves, including exposing the impressive wooden
flooring in the old surgery’s reception area which had been covered up with
plywood and laminate. This large area, now fitted out with stylish white
couches, forms the main body of the new gallery.
They also created a number of equally cavernous rooms off the
reception area which Dory used as his studio and display areas for his large
body of work.
* One of artist Edward Bell's images of David Bowie
which will be on display.
Suzannne explained that at this point it was never their
intention to turn the building into a gallery, although when local people began
to take an interest in the renovation work and politely ask what was happening
to their old health centre a number were invited in at the weekends to have a
look around and check out Dory’s work.
He and his partner were always more than happy to explain things and
to talk them through the paintings and sculptures.
Later other local artists began visiting and discussing Dory’s work
along with their own creations.
“It became quite an artistic hub. We began to hang their work
up on the walls and, although I’d never done that sort of thing before, I
seemed to have a knack for where things looked best. Actually a painting will
tell you where it wants to be,” recalled Suzanne.
Everything changed with Dory’s death early last year which left
Suzanne devastated and everyone who knew him stunned and saddened.
Since then she has gradually been rebuilding her life and using the time
left by her bereavement - and the pandemic which followed almost immediately –
to carefully plan what should be done with the building they both loved.
And now Suzanne, with the strong support of her friends in the
artistic community, has put everything in place to open what she is proud to have
named The Dory Gallery in memory of her late partner.
* A picture by artist Steve Lane hangs in the gallery.
A major consideration has been financing the thoughtful
conversion of the building to accept visits by the public, especially putting
in place the necessary Covid-19 measures, such as a one-way system for visitors
and the usual hand-gel.
Suzanne said: “That’s where one of our friends, the local
artist Edward Bell, has been a massive help.
“He is quite famous for having designed a number of David Bowie’s
album covers. In July he will be auctioning off some of this artwork and has
very kindly agreed to donate some of the proceeds to helping me set up the
gallery.
“I’ve also gone back to my old job of mobile hairdressing to
help cover the expenses and support myself.”
Despite the running costs, Suzanne is adamant that she won’t be
charging people to enjoy the gallery and its range of exhibits from Dory and
four other local artists including Edward Bell, whose David Bowie imagery will
be prominently on show, Lisa Carter-Grist, Keith Roberts and Steve Lane.
* The former health centre which now houses The Dory Gallery.
“What I’m trying to do is build a bit of a legacy for Dory. He
was never too happy to put his work on show in a traditional gallery way but I
don’t think he’d mind what we’re doing now,” she said.
“I’ve created the gallery in his memory and planning it all has
kept me going.
“I think he’d be happy to know that what we created here when
we took over the building has now gone further and I know he’d want his work to
be recognised.
“None of Dory’s art will be for sale but the work by the other
artists will be.
“Basically, this place is all about education and putting it together has helped me through my grieving.”
* From June 26 the gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am-4pm,
and for details of Monday-Friday opening call 01978 860311.
For more details of the gallery, go to: Home | The Dory Gallery
