Previous Exhibitions — Hambly & Hambly

EXHIBITION ENLIGHTEN 19 June – 30 September, 2021
As featured in Irish Arts and Ulster Tatler

Hambly & Hambly is an innovative Art Gallery and Cultural Hub established four years ago located in the landmark Grade II Dunbar House, Enniskillen. The venue is currently hosting a vast exhibition of visual and literary Art which sets new limits in the world of commercial Art. The gallery has a unique vision as they aim to nurture and grow an artistic community which is all encompassing, embracing Art and Artists of all genres, mediums, backgrounds and encourages a sharing forum whereby established and emerging Artists produce and exhibit together in a spirit of co-operative growth and development. Ciara Hambly, Director and Curator at Hambly & Hambly, explains her vison: “We appreciate and celebrate the artistic spirit and vision to sustain, nurture and develop us all. We prioritise the power of The Arts to connect our local, national and global communities in an optimistic forward-thinking way which breaks old concepts and the rigidity of the rules of traditional commercial galleries. We are constantly aiming to provide new opportunities for artists to join together and fire each other in optimism, creativity and hope”.

The launch of the current exhibition ENLIGHTEN was a spectacular event. Welcoming speeches were made by Ciara Hambly, Wolfgang Buttress, international award-winning sculptor who has produced an exclusive body of work for H&H in celebration of the ten year anniversary of RISE, his landmark sculpture in Belfast; and Suzanne Garuda Director of the international award-winning interior design company Garuda Design who has sourced Art from Hambly & Hambly for major projects over the last four years. The welcoming speeches epitomised a warm and welcoming embrace from the hosts.

Ciara encouraged involvement from all with her words “Art has no grammar. Art is a language all of its own and is there for everyone to enjoy regardless of your background.” Wolfgang offered his support of the gallery’s initiaitives: “This gallery is nothing short of remarkable. It exists outside the typical gallery system. The breadth of work is really fantastic and it’s great to see it inside a domestic setiing so it’s not intimidating like a typical white box gallery, andd the welcome is always fantastic. Its an amazing place, its got an amazing spirit.” Suzanne Garuda’s enthusiastic endorsement left no doubt as to why she sources her Art fron H&H “I cannot believe the the breadth of Art which Ciara has found, the level of talent, just beautiful pieces, such a variety and in this place so far away from everywhere. It is an oasis and a fabulous discovery.”

Hambly & Hambly’s Initiatives In lockdown have emerged in the new exhibition ENLIGHTEN which is a visual record of how Art can connect us in isolation to overcome adversity and challenging times. With a strong belief in Artists joining together and creating co-operatively, Hambly & Hambly founded in March 2020 a Facebook group “Imagine” for Artists and Art Lovers. From the Imagine platform, the gallery has run two solo exhibitions every week showcasing the works of established and emerging visual and musical artists. In addition, Imagine has launched several group shows and live-streamed cultural events to promote the visual, literary and musical Arts direct from the gallery base at Dunbar House to an ever-increasing and enthusiastic audience world-wide. The gallery celebrates Art of all mediums with a strong vision of progression, development and collaboration. Most recently their efforts and successes have been recognised with greatly appreciated endorsement and funding for their promotion of The Arts in lockdown from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Exhibition ENLIGHTEN features winning pieces of Art from the fortnightly callout the gallery have been making throughout lockdown from Artists of all mediums which has had hundreds of incredibly diverse submissions. Hambly & Hambly are delighted by the huge number of Artists participating in the initiative which is a response to other artists’ works in a visual art relay: “the quality of the work submitted in response to the Enlighten challenge has been superb exceeding all our expectations, showing us what a virtual open forum for art submissions can achieve” says gallery owner and director Ciara Hambly “we are proud to showcase the winning and highly commended pieces in the ENLIGHTEN exhibition alongside a feature of works by our longstanding represented artists and some welcome newcomers who have created bodies of work specifically for this innovate show”. Winners of the ENLIGHTEN challenge are proud and excited to have their works exhibited in this ground-breaking exhibition and are fully committed to the gallery which has worked with innovation and dedication so tirelessly during the pandemic to keep the vision and profile of their artists alive and thriving.

As part of the new exhibition Hambly & Hambly have extended the gallery from the original basement and two story coach house space to run throughout the three further floors of their domestic home. The array of contemporary Art adorning the walls of the 1740’s Georgain building is truly a spectacular and unique sight: an experience to behold. “It’s a true privilege to showcase world class Art in our beautiful home and share it with the public. We are blessed to live among such beauty,” said Ciara.Tours of the house are bespoke and booked by private appointment in advance by contacting H&H directly.

The newest plans of this energetic gallery is a French residency project whereby Hambly & Hambly are inviting open submissions from all Artists to qualify for a ten day fully funded residency in France with fellow creatives to produce works for physical international exhibition in France, Ireland and virtually throughout the world. Details of this initiative are open to all and shared through the H&H social media platforms and website.

“We are working tirelessly with enthusiasm and commitment to keep our artistic community alive, thriving and connected. We are constantly seeking new means of support for our valued Artists whom we feel so proud to represent. It’s the most rewarding job I could ever imagine,” says Ciara Hambly. “ We are delighted and thrilled to share our home and life with Art and Artists.”

Hambly & Hambly are proudly supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland & Fermanagh Omagh District Council.
Shortlisted for Arts & Business Awards, 17 June, 2021.

HAMBLY & HAMBLY at Dunbar House, Magheradunbar, 143 Loughshore Road, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 5NW

Exhibition runs until 30 September, 2021
Exhibition open to the public by private appointment
Please contact (078) 08010327 or ciara@hamblyandhambly.com

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