Twycross Zoo – East Midland Zoological Society is opening a ground-breaking new contemporary art gallery this summer and is celebrating a highly-successful preview evening at which several major works were sold.  The preview showcased a cross-section of the high-quality art and two of Wigston (Leicestershire)  artist Kerry Newell’s ultra-detailed pastel on velour works, both an original and a limited edition print, were snapped up for almost £3,000.

Several other artists’ work also provoked much interest, particularly Ilkeston-based Russell Hatton’s large-scale highly-lacquered shimmering paintings, using pearlescent paint effects on an aluminium base, Steve Yeates iconic sculptures made using recycled glass from old bus shelters, and Shauna Richardson’s ‘crochetdermy’ piece, “Lioness”. Shauna is the winner of Best Sculpture and overall Gold Award winner – ‘Art of Giving’ show Saatchi Gallery and is currently work on the Lionheart Project for the Cultural Olympiad for 2012.

The new Gallery will feature a selection of high-quality pieces in a range of styles, from abstract to figurative, paintings to ceramics, sculpture to photography, all designed to engage the Zoo’s visitors with the natural world in an emotional, visceral way.

“We’re really excited about the forthcoming launch of the Gallery” said Twycross Chief Executive, Dr Susie Boardman. “and we were absolutely delighted with the success of the preview because of the huge interest it generated and the major works that were sold – great news for the artists themselves and for the Zoo as we will be selling these works commercially to help fund our cutting-edge work with animals. The Gallery is also designed to reflect the transformation the Zoo is currently undergoing and our passion for conservation, sustainability and the inter-dependence of the entire natural world.”

Come back soon for more news on Twycross Gallery.