B O H U N G A L L E R Y
PRESS RELEASE
Celebrating 40 years of Fine Art at the Bohun Gallery
For a commercial gallery operating in a country town outside the London circuit, celebrating your 40th birthday
represents a singular achievement. Patricia Jordan Evans opened the Bohun Gallery in 1973 and it continues to
show the very best of British 20th Century and Contemporary art to this day from its premises on Reading Road.
The Bohun Gallery has a remarkable roll-call of artists who have exhibited over the last forty years.
Patricia Jordan Evans was approaching major artists right from the start and within 18 months of the gallery
opening, John Piper had joined and enjoyed subsequent solo shows every two years at Bohun until his death in
1992. The gallery is probably best known for its enduring links with artists Mary Fedden and Julian Trevelyan.
Patricia met the couple in their studio during the late 70s and there began a long and happy working relationship
and a great friendship. In 1993, Mary Fedden wrote ‘We both loved the gallery, and we quickly realised how
professional and discerning Pat was, and what high standards she set. She has never changed in this
uncompromising approach’. Bohun Gallery is proud to handle Julian Trevelyan’s Estate and is looking forward
to a major show of the artist’s work during 2013 as part of the 40th celebrations. The Gallery staged a sell-out
show of Mary Fedden’s work in 2012 and continues to exhibit some of the rarest and finest work by this popular
and enduring artist.
Other familiar names on the Bohun Gallery’s roll call include Dame Elizabeth Frink, Maggi Hambling, Donald
Hamilton Fraser, Sir Peter Blake, David Hockney, Sir Terry Frost and Sandra Blow. Bohun is one of only four
galleries selected by the Barnes Foundation to exhibit the work of the great 20th Century abstract artist Wilhelmina
Barns Graham. The gallery has strong links with the Royal Scottish Academicians and exhibits work by some of
Scotland’s finest living artists. The late John Mortimer, author and critic, said of the gallery in 2003 ‘Henley
has turned out to be the perfect place for a gallery that deals in artists, many of whom celebrate the
mysterious beauties of our countryside’.
The reputation that Bohun Gallery has developed has led to some exciting projects including portrait commissions
of Sir John Madejeski and Stephen Hawking. In 2013 Patricia Jordan Evans curated the celebrated exhibition
‘Piper and the Church’ at Dorchester Abbey on behalf of the Friends of Dorchester Abbey as a celebration of HM
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The gallery supports the work of several museums and arts charities and is
involved in loans to major exhibitions.
It will be an exciting year for the Bohun Gallery with some key shows to celebrate 40 Years in Fine Art. The busy
and varied exhibition calendar opened with a major show by the Godfather of British Art Pop, Sir Peter Blake, who
exhibited his iconic pop silkscreens together with a collection of new work unveiled at the Henley gallery for the
first time outside London. Another highlight was the important show of Julian Trevelyan’s work accompanying the
launch of a new book on the artist, written by his son, Philip Trevelyan. The next show will mark Bohun’s
Anniversary with a celebration of the very best of British and Scottish contemporary art.
Bohun Gallery has earned a national reputation as one of the leading out-of-London galleries and still manages to
maintain its friendly, welcoming and personal service. Patricia Jordan Evans has recently been joined by gallery
manager Katie Newman, who has managed a number of prestigious London galleries and, as a Henley resident,
confirms how happy she is not only to be working locally but also to be associated with such a major force in the
20th Century British art scene.
40th Years of Fine Art: 11th June – 31st August 2013
15 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1AB Telephone /Fax 01491 576228
Bohun Contemporary Art Limited Company No. 5708718 Registered office as above Director: P M Jordan Evans
www.bohungallery.co.uk