North East gallery sketches out its new winter exhibition

A Newcastle gallery is drawing up a diverse new programme for the winter season.

The Biscuit Factory, the UK’s largest arts, craft and design gallery, exhibits and sells contemporary paintings, prints, glass, sculpture, textiles and jewellery and this winter, its exhibition is headlined by award-winning Scottish artist Phil McLoughlin.

Phil, who studied psychotherapy and worked as a professor for over 20 years in countries such as Australia and Japan, will showcase his new body of work in the gallery’s first floor Cube space.

Gallery curator, Sam Knowles comments: “Phil constructs compositions from seemingly unrelated objects to suggest multiple meanings. With a brilliant collection of new paintings, his work intrigues, amuses and captivates in equal measure.”

Other highlights this season include a new ceramicist to the gallery - Barry Stedman, who also works as studio assistant to the acclaimed potter Edmund De Waal; French artist Valerie Wartelle with her beautiful painterly textiles; and returning for his annual show - local artist Malcolm Teasdale with his nostalgic scenes of industrial northern life.

As always, the gallery will showcase an extensive range of jewellery too, including the debut collection from North East-based Jessica Langford, whose ‘wearable art’ make for a striking reminder of Teesside's industrial heritage.

The winter exhibition opens with a special launch event on 11 November, 6-9pm, which will include seasonal drinks, hot roasted chestnuts and a performance from local choir, Voice of the Town. The show runs until the end of February 2017.