Shortlisted for The Fabric Award: International Design and Architecture Awards

‘My Country’ botanical velvets - left to right Rosie Pink, Betty Pink, Daisy Brown, Lilly Green, Melita Dusty Pink

Exciting news! Bay Gallery Home’s innovative fabric collection has been shortlisted for a major award at this year’s International Design and Architecture Awards.

Our ‘My Country’ range has been chosen by the events’s curators, Design et al, to vie with famous brands like Liberty Fabrics for the prestigious Fabric Design Award. The winner will be chosen by a judging panel of 26,000 industry professionals and announced at the awards show in London in September.

The ‘My Country’ interiors collection has taken five years of dedication and investment to build and it is a joy to see it being recognised. It has been created against sometimes difficult challenges, including the pandemic, Australian wildfires, personal tragedies and, in the fabrics case, manufacturers going out of business just as the first prints came off the press, leaving me to start all over again.

So much has been poured into this creation, with us often to’ing an fro’ing across the world to spend days and nights in the car driving around our desert communities in search of beautiful Aboriginal artwork. It has a been a real family effort too - my mother is always at the wheel (driving 3000km from Brisbane) and my children squished into the back for the long journey from Alice Springs to “Outbush”.

Lots of adventures were had including my Mum greeting us at Lasseter’s Hotel in Alice in 2017 with a lump the size of a grapefruit on her lower leg. “Oh, don’t worry,” she shrugged as she helped load our bags into the boot. “It’s just a snake bite I got sleeping in the swag on the way here.”

There have been many hours spent slogging up and down the motorways of the UK searching of the right designers and manufacturers capable of making a product that can compete against the worlds best design houses.

‘My Country’ is a collection of 12 breathtaking designs - all taken from the work of some of the most talented artists among the oldest continuous race on Earth - on a range of five fabric bases. They are suitable for upholstery and soft furnishings including cushions, lamps and curtains.

Thank you to all those who have collaborated with us and bought from us over the years. We hope you agree it’s been worthwhile.

Wish us luck!

‘My Country’ fabrics are from paintings by: Lilly Kemarre Morton (Lilly Green) , Betty Pula Morton (Betty Pink) , Alana Ngwarraye Holmes (Alana Pink), Daisy Kemarre Turner (Daisy Brown), Joycie Pitjara Morton (Joycie Yellow), Michelle Pula Holmes (Michelle Blue), Rosie Ngwarraye Ross (Rosie Pink and Rosie Blue), Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer (Ruth PInk, Ruth Blue, Ruth Red) and Sarah Napurrurla Holmes (Bush Onion).

Images of some of them are below (left to right): Michelle Pula Holmes, Lilly Kemarre Morton, Betty Pula Morton, Rosie Ngwarraye Ross and Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer.

Photograph credits: Alexandra O’Brien, Adam Carter & Lara Damiani Think Films

The Surrey Splendour featured our business in its latest Home Edit

Melita Dusty Pink wallpaper in background is from an original artwork is by Melita Pitjara Morton

Ruth Pink cotton velvet cushions are from an original artwork by Ruth Nungarraryi Spencer

The Surrey Splendour invited us to be part of its Home Edit after “scouring the county [and a bit beyond] to find some exciting home inspired businesses to ensure that any renovation project exudes quality and design.” We are thrilled our ‘My Country' Aboriginal interiors collection was selected - it is so lovely to have the work of the Artists we represent embraced by so many in the UK, which in turn helps support the Communities and the Central Desert art centres.

Click on the link to to read more and explore the other businesses selected for the Edit.

https://www.thesurreysplendour.co.uk/home/2020/10/8/at-home-edit-stylishly-surrey

'Stay Alert' - how to buy from Bay Gallery Home in the new lock down phase

Our Bush Onion cotton velvet floor cushion sits on our Water Dreaming wool rug.

Bay Gallery Home is hoping everyone is well and stays safe as the UK emerges from lockdown. As a gallery we’re in a grey area as to opening but each day I’m working in the gallery space (with no commute) so our products continue to be sent out via the post office and DHL. Everything is online so you can peruse the paintings, giftware, accessories and our award winning ‘My Country’ interiors collection then pick your choice up from the gallery (contactless) or it can be sent out.

We’ve noticed across Twitter and Instagram there’s been lots of lock down birthdays so you can choose something soulful and unique from Bay Gallery Home for your loved ones and friends.

Please get in touch via email or call Alexandra on 07776 157 066 with any queries.

Postage during Lockdown

Some of our orders are being delayed as our wonderful post office is operating limited hours so please bare with us while we get your orders out. DHL is operating as usual so any larger orders (including international) will be sent out within 24 hours of the order.

Post Office times in Tetbury are: 0900-1200 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only.

Painting orders dependent on size they will be sent via Royal Mail or DHL - we aim to have them sent within 24 hours.

All smaller orders from our Homeware & Accessories range will go out the day of order or nearest following postal day.

Additionally, postage prices went up as of 1 March but we will not be passing those on until circumstances improve across the board.

We have enormous gratitude for the staff at the Tetbury Post Office and DHL for continuing to operate during this difficult time.

All the best to everyone.

Bay Gallery Home

Covid-19 update

Bay Gallery Home wants to reassure you that over the coming months, while the world deals with this dreadful pandemic that our gallery will stay open until the authorities tell us otherwise. Online orders will be fulfilled while the post office remains open. DHL has assured us that they will maintaining their delivery service for the foreseeable future. If circumstances change will let you know via the Blog, Instagram and Twitter feeds.

Sadly one our art centres has been forced to close so there will be no new works from them until the danger of infection has passed. We will post images of our latest shipment from them on our Instagram and Twitter accounts @baygalleryhome .

We hope that you all stay in good health and wish those affected a speedy recovery. If you have elderly relatives in the Gloucestershire area who need anything from the shops and you can’t get to your relatives please get in touch and we will try to help.

Wishing you all the best

Bay Gallery Home

The List - House & Garden

Bay Gallery Home is hugely honoured to be included in the interior design industry bible, House & Garden The List. This is the first time an Aboriginal art gallery or interiors collection, has ever featured on The List so we feel like we’ve really achieved something special on behalf of Aboriginal artists. Hopefully this will pave the way for more Aboriginal designs to be explored and used within interior design. Our ‘My Country’ interiors collection is manufactured in the UK as we also wanted to support the British manufacturing industry.

Bay Gallery Home has achieved it’s goal of getting Aboriginal interiors on the world stage but we always need the support of our clients to help it grow so please keep supporting Bay Gallery Home and the Artists we represent by visiting us online or at our Gloucestershire gallery.

You can go click on the link to see our listing.

https://thelist.houseandgarden.com/united-kingdom/gloucestershire/service/bay-gallery-home

New Products arrive at Bay Gallery Home

Alma Nungarrayi Granites, Seven Sisters Dreaming umbrella

Amongst some of the fantastic new products we just had delivered are the Aboriginal design umbrellas. There’s four in the collection: Alma Nungarrayi Granites, Ruth Napaljarri Stewart, Theo Faye Nangala Hudson, Judith Napangardi Watson.

The umbrellas are a beautiful quality with a handle you can hang from your arm, buggy or walking aid. It also stands alone leaving no need for a ‘brolly bucket’ when you’re out shopping.

The umbrellas are available from Bay Gallery Home in Tetbury, Gloucestershire or online at www.baygalleryhome.com

Australian Catastrophe 2020

View of Country, Margaret Ngwarraye Long

Bay Gallery Home has been meaning to write a blog for some time about the slew of environmental catastrophes devastating Australia. The impact of the widespread destruction of our home country, Australia, is extraordinarily difficult to put into words. My daughter, Greta, I think can say it best through the lens and emotions of a child: raw and honest. This is an excerpt of a presentation she did for a Australian fundraising event at her school in the UK.

“As you all might know some parts of Australia are on fire and that’s quite a sensitive subject for me as I’m Australian. The thing thats bothering me the most at the moment is the fires in Australia. It makes me so upset that I can’t do anything about it apart from think about it. I want to get over there and help the animals and the people. I want to help in anyway I possibly can and that’s why I think I am in this world. I want to hug everything. Thinking about going there again and seeing its all burnt down gives me the chills. The thing I most wish for this year is to make the world a better place.

We need to remember not only the iconic animals are in danger, like the koalas and kangaroos but the wombats, platypus, the birds, the Emus, insects, fish and many other animals and plants essential to the Australian eco system.

Please donate, if you can, to the fire brigade and the animal shelters. Thank you.” Greta, 11 years old

Here are some suggestions for those wishing to donate:

redcross.org.uk

findabed.info

NSW Rural Fire Service quickweb.westpac.com.au

Wildlife Emergency fund - wires.org.au

Animal Rescue Collective Craft Guild - making pouches for injured wildlife

Bay Gallery Home wishes our Customers, Artists & Collaborators a Very Happy Christmas

Painting by Steven Jupurrurla Nelson, Janganpa Jukurrpa (common brush-tail possum Dreaming

Happy Christmas!

And we hope you have a wonderful New Year/New Decade in 2020.

Thank you to all those who have bought from us over the last year and given us the encouragement to continue to grow our ‘My Country’ collection. We also thank you for supporting the Artists we represent by buying through Bay Gallery Home. And to all those who have Collaborated with us: photographers, makers, graphic designers, our suppliers a huge thank you for your hard work over 2019.

The work of our hugely talented, dedicated artists in the Central Desert means we can bring something beautiful, unique and steeped in ancient iconography to the the UK.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2020.

We are closed 25th-28th December.

Bay Gallery Home x

It's Christmas time to shop in one of Tetbury's many independent shops

A view from Bay Gallery Home, Tetbury, The Cotswolds

The gallery has many beautiful gift ideas for Christmas available from our Aboriginal art & interiors showroom in Tetbury, the heart of the Cotswolds.

You can choose unique, quality gifts from our Homeware & Accessories range or the ‘My Country’ Aboriginal interiors collection.

Bay Gallery Home safely send our mugs, teapots, soaps, moisturisers, throws, cushions, wallpapers, salad servers & bowls amongst many other products from our Aboriginal range all over the world.

Everything in the gallery is taken from original Aboriginal artworks with the artist and their community receiving royalties from each sale, thereby helping raise funds for community projects including transport from their remote Central Desert art centres to medical facilities in Alice Springs, Australia.

If you want to know more or place an order please email alexandra@baygalleryhome.com or visit www.baygalleryhome.com

We are open 7 day a week bar 14-15 December.

Happy Christmas!

Telescope Style - Destination Inspired Interiors on Marlow FM

Annabel Smith of Telescope Style - one of Bay Gallery Home’s champions recently spoke with  June Bailey on the Radio  on Marlow FM 97.5  about her burgeoning online travel inspired interiors shop. Annabel has scoured the world and many trade fairs within the UK and Europe searching for designer makers using pattern and colour with a directional bent celebrating cultural heritage. We were lucky to be chosen as one of her boutique brands and have her explain more about our business on Mid Morning Matters.

You can listen to the interview here:

https://www.marlowfm.co.uk/listenagain
Choose Mid Morning Matters from the box, then choose Thu October 10 (scroll to 94:50 for Annabel’s slot!)
Copyright Marlow FM Ltd 2014...

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Australian Indigenous artefacts returning from Manchester Museum

Spears from one of the Central Desert Aboriginal communities we work with. These are made by the men as “men’s business'“ using Mulga trees.

A few years ago we visited the British Museum’s ‘enduring civilisation’ exhibition which was an incredibly moving experience. The skill required to produce these beautiful artefacts including the feathered string necklaces, pearl shell pendants and woven baskets was breathtaking. The exhibition revealed so much more about the gifted Aboriginal people than we were taught at school in Australia. It helped explain a deep intelligence connected to the land and animals which flew directly in the face of any colonial claims the Aboriginals were “primitives”.

Amongst the artefacts held by the British Museum many are sacred and therefore not supposed to be seen by the uninitiated - seeing them was a guilty pleasure but also helped us understand why they were so important to the Aboriginal groups they had been taken from. Large tranches of artefacts in Australia are held in the National Gallery of Australian in Canberra (among other state galleries/museums and private collections) with only the traditional owners allowed access to view them.

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s voyage which took him to Australia and ultimately led to the end of the Aboriginals traditional life and the removal of their cultural heritage. Manchester Museum is marking the event by returning 43 ceremonial artefacts to the Aranda people and Gangalidda Garawa people among other Aboriginal groups.

This repatriation of Aboriginal artefacts by Manchester Museum back to those they were taken from over the course of white Australian settlement will no doubt lead to healing and reconciliation between all those now occupying the vast Australian continent.

Betty Pula Morton's work shortlisted for $100,000 Hadley's Art Prize

My Country and Bush Medicine painting, by Betty Pula Morton, a finalist in the 2019 Hadley’s Art prize for Australian landscape painting.

Bay Gallery Home has sold many exceptional Betty’s since we started dealing with her art centre. We also chose to translate one of her paintings into wallpaper and fabric.

Betty is an incredibly gifted artist whose work is endlessly fascinating. We wish her all the luck in winning the prize on 19 July 2019!

Please follow the link to see the other finalists and find out more about the Hadley Art Prize.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2019/may/15/floods-fires-and-desert-mice-100000-hadleys-art-prize-in-pictures?CMP=share_btn_fb&page=with%3Aimg-2&fbclid=IwAR348vLj8jGBgQM_PzOjekce3kh3KIAA4OOoJfufvJdgCSjCOHOuQskVE7c#img-

New Art has arrived!

Athena Nangala Granites, Seven Sisters Dreaming or Star Dreaming - this painting has been sold.

Exciting new art is available through our Art pages where you can click on the images for more information including the paintings origin, artist details, size and price. We ship any size anywhere in the world so if you love it buy it and we’ll get it to you safely and quickly.

Since our last photo shoot another shipment of beautiful paintings have been delivered to Bay Gallery Home so visit us to see them before they are uploaded onto our website. Please check our contact details and blog updates for opening hours.

Please email alexandra@baygalleryhome.com with any queries.

The Home Page - Brand We Love

Bay Gallery Home was delighted to be featured as a brand The Home Page love. You can view the article on their website https://thehomepage.co.uk

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day is when we celebrate being women and acknowledge the challenges we face and often overcome. These Aboriginal artists lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle before the “white fella” found them in the desert. Given the lack of valuable resources and remoteness of the Warlpiri land the skin groups were mostly left to continue their life unhindered. However, some were pressed into domestic servitude as well as experiencing violence at the hands of the white settlers. The Coniston massacre was amongst some of the worst violence visited upon them seeing many retreating to place like Mt Theo to hide.

The spirit the Warlpiri people retained despite the harshness of the new life thrust upon them has passed onto future generations. Judy ( in the forefront) was instrumental in retaining knowledge of Country by sharing her life stories and Mina Mina Dreaming with the younger children. She was the embodiment of strength and wisdom who became an internationally renowned artist despite all the challenges she and other Warlpiri woman faced.

The Desert is a Botanical Garden

View of Country - Margaret Kemarre Ross, Acrylic on Linen 61x51cm

This painting reminds us of the the colours you find in a Van Gogh - the glorious yellows in the still life works “Sunflowers” and the colour of “Irises”.

It is of course the Australian outback with its ever changing shades as the sun moves through the day altering the colour of the plants and rocky outcrops.

Margaret Kemarre Ross’s family have been outbush for thousands of years collecting bush medicine from their Alyawarr land. Alyawarr is a rich botanical garden for its inhabitants. Each flower serves a medicinal purpose. The little purple ones, for example, can be used for the flu as well as easing kidney pain. When mixed with water the pink ones help with sore eyes and the yellow ones are used to wash their skin.

While expressing her passion for bush medicines paintings also serves to communicate her love of Country as it “keeps culture strong”.

If you would like more information please contact alexandra@baygalleryhome.com

The World of Interiors - Material World

Bay Gallery Homes’s Michelle Blue wallpaper is featured in the October edition of the World of Interiors amidst a sea of beautiful fabrics. We launched three new ‘My Country’ botanical wallpapers last week at Decorex: Betty Pink, Joycie Yellow and Daisy Brown.

Intelligent Magazine for Inquisitive Minds feature article

Bay Gallery Home recently wrote a feature article about Aboriginal art for London based I-M Magazine (Intelligent Magazine for Inquisitive Minds).  An excerpt is available online with the full article published in the new issue now available at all good outlets including Harvey Nichols, Holland Park News, Princess News and Wardour News.  The article serves as an introduction to Aboriginal art giving the reader a brief history of Aboriginal art and a broad insight into the different styles and areas the art hails from.

http://www.i-m-magazine.com/aboriginal-art-the-magic-of-dreamtime/