It’s certainly an unusual setting in which to meet a father and daughter duo of artists – with very different styles – but Bristol’s now disused gothic-style Guildhall is hosting their first joint exhibition.
Harriet Dahan-Bouchard and her Bath-based father Philip have set up shop amid the now empty court rooms, judges chambers and prison cells.
It’s apparently the earliest Gothic town hall in England and is now being transformed into a vibrant community arts space until redevelopment of the site gets underway next year.
Subject to planning permission this amazingly quirky building could become a five-star hotel.
But back to our father and daughter exhibitors. Philip has specialised in surrealism for the past forty years. A gateway, he says for him to escape into an imaginary world of his own making. Most of his work is for private clients.
However, in 2005, he was shortlisted as a finalist in the Daily Mail ‘Not the Turner Prize‘ at the Mall Galleries in London. He has since exhibited at Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery and the Cheltenham Art Gallery.
Daughter Harriet decided at the age of eight what she wanted to do when she grew up. Having completed three years training in Florence she is now based in Bath and working as a portrait painter.
She has already attracted a number of commissions including a portrait for the Lord Chief Justice.
I met them this week for an impromptu chat at the Guildhall.
Meet the Bouchards – A Surreal Experience is at the old Bristol Guildhall until September 29th. Go in through the Small Street entrance from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday or on Sunday September 29th between 10 am and 4pm.
Contact details for Harriet via harrietdahanbouchard@gmail.com or www.harrietdahanbouchard.co.uk and for Philip via bouchardpaintings@yahoo.co.uk or www.bouchardpaintings.com
