The A Gallery was a contemporary

art gallery An art gallery is a room or a building in which visual art is displayed. In Western cultures from the mid-15th century, a gallery was any long, narrow covered passage along a wall, first used in the sense of a place for art in the 1590s. The long ...

Wimbledon Wimbledon most often refers to: * Wimbledon, London, a district of southwest London * Wimbledon Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world and one of the four Grand Slam championships Wimbledon may also refer to: Places London * W ...

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

run by Fraser Kee Scott.

Founding

The A Gallery was founded by Fraser Kee Scott in 1997.Groves, Nancy
"The science of art"

Newsquest Newsquest Media Group Limited is the second largest publisher of regional and local newspapers in the United Kingdom. It is owned by the American mass media holding company Gannett. It has 205 brands across the UK, publishing online and in pr ...

, 13 April 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008. The gallery's first exhibit was recent Chelsea graduate Alison Jackson's ''Crucifix'', priced at £1,500 and five years later valued at ten times that amount, after she had won a

Bafta The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, ) is an independent trade association and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual awa ...

and written a best-selling book.

Exhibitions

Nude sculpture

In 2004, the gallery exhibited in the window a life-sized nude sculpture, ''This Is Me (Who Am I)'', by Marie White (aged 24), a graduate of

Wimbledon College of Art Wimbledon College of Arts, formerly Wimbledon School of Art, is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, a public art university in London, England. The college specialises in theatre, screen and performance arts and design ...

."Artist's naked ambition censored"

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

, 14 July 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2008. The work, made from hair, wax and resin, was shown at her degree show without a problem.Leitch, Luke. "It's Window Undressing", ''

Evening Standard The ''London Standard'', formerly the ''Evening Standard'' (1904–2024) and originally ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), is a long-established regional newspaper published weekly and distributed free newspaper, free of charge in London, Engl ...

'', p. 22, 14 July 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2008. A lady entered the gallery and expressed interest in the work. Then some local schoolboys entered and made out they were molesting the sculpture,Bowring, Jo
"It's all the nude that's fit to print...or that can be revealed in public, according to police"
,

, 22 July 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2008. until Scott shouted at them and they left. Some passers-by made complaints to police that the sculpture was "disgusting", one stopping a police car to do so. Two policeman went to the gallery, which was advised the work was offensive under the Indecent Displays Act 1991. Chief Inspector Neil Patterson, who visited the gallery, said the work was very lifelike, "very explicit and very graphic." For 24 hours the sculpture was moved to the side of the gallery, out of public view, then returned to the window with two frosted glass panels in place. Scott raised the sculpture's price from £5,000 to £7,000, which he said was nearer its real value, as it had taken eight months and cost £3,000 to make, mainly for 250 hours of the model's time. White said the work was not intended to cause offence, and that, as it was not posed in a "lewd, crude way", she was surprised at "the reaction of males that they can't view a nude sculpture and not imprint the sexual aspect onto her." Scott said he knew that "eye-catching" sculptures in the gallery window, including a large screaming lady, would "get attention, but I didn't know it would get this," that there were nude sculptures outside the Houses of Parliament, including male figures, and he did not understand why there was so much fuss. The sculpture was later exhibited as part of the town's Feva festival in The Boathouse at Waterside,

Knaresborough Knaresborough ( ) is a market and spa town and civil parish on the River Nidd in North Yorkshire, England. It is east of Harrogate and was in the Borough of Harrogate until April 2023. History The Knaresborough Hoard, the largest hoard of ...

, White's home town.

Stuckists

In October 2005, Scott, described as "gallery owner—and Stuckist", said in ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...

'' that

Tate Tate is an institution that houses, in a network of four art galleries, the United Kingdom's national collection of British art, and international modern and contemporary art. It is not a government institution, but its main sponsor is the UK ...

gallery chairman,

Paul Myners Paul Myners, Baron Myners, (1 April 1948 – 16 January 2022) was a British businessman and politician. In October 2008 he was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer and was appointed City Minister in the Labour Government of Gordon Br ...

, was hypocritical for refusing to divulge the price paid by the Tate for its purchase of ''The Upper Room'', paintings by its trustee,

Chris Ofili Christopher Ofili, (born 10 October 1968) is a British painter who is best known for his paintings incorporating elephant dung. He was Turner Prize-winner and one of the Young British Artists. Since 2005, Ofili has been living and working in ...

, who had asked other artists to donate work to the gallery.Walden, Celia. "Spy: Art-felt grumble", ''

'', p. 22, 19 October 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008. Scott said that

Stuckist Stuckism () is an international art movement founded in 1999 by Billy Childish and Charles Thomson (artist), Charles Thomson to promote Figurative art, figurative painting as opposed to conceptual art. The gallery staged ''On Form'', a group show which included Paul Normansell, Diarmuid Byron O'Connor and Stuckist artists,

Charles Thomson Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 – August 16, 1824) was an Irish-born Founding Father of the United States and secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence. As secretary, Thomson prepared the Journals of the ...

Paul Harvey Paul Harvey Aurandt (September 4, 1918 – February 28, 2009) was an American radio broadcaster for ABC News Radio. He broadcast ''News and Comment'' on mornings and mid-days on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays and also his famous ''The Rest o ...

and

Peter McArdle Peter McArdle (born 17 December 1965) is an English artist, member of the Stuckism, Stuckists art group, and gallery owner.Milner, Frank (Editor). ''The Stuckists Punk Victorian'', p. 96, National Museums Liverpool, 2004. . The biography ostuc ...

, whose painting ''On a Theme of Annunciation'', used to promote the show, was censored by

MySpace Myspace (formerly stylized as MySpace, currently myspace; and sometimes my␣, with an elongated Whitespace character#Substitute images, open box symbol) is a social networking service based in the United States. Launched on August 1, 2003, it w ...

for showing a nude figure. Scott said it had been removed without warning, called the site "Murdoch Space" and said the painting was not porn or titillation, but thought-provoking: "They don't seem to be able to differentiate between the two!" In an article in the '' South London Guardian'', Scott talked about the show and also about Scientology. Six weeks later in the ''

'', Thomson said the ''South London Guardian'' article put the Stuckists in a difficult position, as he had been promised the gallery was run as a commercial enterprise, and it was "outrageous" that the show should be used to promote Scientology, linking it to the Stuckists, who had no connection with the Church.Mendick, Robert
"Scientology sect 'using British art as a front'"
''

'', 23 May 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008. The article had included a painting by

, who said, "I feel my work was being used without my permission to promote Scientology." Leading German Stuckist Peter Klint said it was "very dangerous" to co-operate with the gallery and that it would fund Scientology. Scott said that it wasn't "even an issue" and he did not use artists to promote Scientology, but was dedicated to selling their work, which he did so very successfully. Interviewed later by Scott, Thomson said that his remarks in the ''Evening Standard'' represented how he saw matters at the time, but that he accepted Scott's subsequent explanation that there was no intention to link the show and the Church and Scott did not realise the article would do this; Thomson said to Scott that the matter was a misunderstanding which had been resolved, and the Stuckists had continued to show successfully at the gallery: "For the record, I have always found you to be a very honest and principled person with a genuine passion for art." In July 2007, the Stuckists held an exhibition at the gallery, ''I Won't Have Sex with You as long as We're Married''.Duff, Oliver
"Stuckists prune Vine"
''

The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...

'', 5 June 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008.Moody, Paul
"Everyone's talking about Stella Vine"
''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'', 12 July 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2008. The Stuckist show was titled after words apparently said to Thomson by his ex-wife,

Stella Vine Stella Vine (born Melissa Jane Robson, 1969) is an English artist, who lives and works in London. Her work is figurative painting, with subjects drawn from personal life, as well as from rock stars, royalty, and other celebrities. In 2001, she ...

on their wedding night. It coincided with the opening of Vine's major show at

Modern Art Oxford Modern Art Oxford is an art gallery established in 1965 in Oxford, England. From 1965 to 2002, it was called The Museum of Modern Art, Oxford. The gallery presents exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. It has a national and international ...

and was occasioned by Thomson's anger that the material promoting her show omitted any mention of her time with the Stuckists, which he said had had an influence on galvanising her previously "fairly ordinary" work. Work in the show included a painting by Harvey based on Vine and Thomson's wedding photo,"I Won't Have Sex with You as long as We're Married"
stuckism.com. Retrieved 19 December 2008. and two paintings by

Mark D Mark D, born Mark Randall,Deedes, Henry ''The Independent'', 13 February 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2008. is a British punk musician (guitarist and songwriter). He is also associated with the Stuckist group of artists. Mark D was born and spen ...

of Vine, who holds a placard in one with the words "Go fuck yourself","I Won't Have Sex with You as long as We're Married"
(photos) stuckism.com. Retrieved 19 December 2008. which Vine had previously said to him, when he attempted to buy her work and she found out he had a link with Thomson.Deedes, Henry

''

'', 13 February 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008. Another painting by Mark D, ''the Hypocrisy of Myners'', depicted Tate gallery chairman, Paul Myners. The show also exhibited Michael Dickinson's collage, ''Good Boy'', for which Dickinson faced prosecution in Turkey on a charge of insulting the Turkish prime minister. Leo Goatley,

Rose West Rosemary Pauline West (née Letts; born 29 November 1953) is an English serial killer who collaborated with her husband, Fred West, in the torture and murder of ten young women between 1973 and 1987;

's solicitor, showed ''New Millennium Economic Symphony'', a painting commenting on the undermining of "society's dwindling safety" as a result of government reforms. Myners visited both Vine's and the Stuckists' shows in succession.Duff, Oliver
"Legal sharks circle round Davis and his chief of staff"
, (3rd story), ''

'', 27 July 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008. Scott said, "He ynerssaid he wasn't sure why we were so critical when our art was quite similar to the stuff... at the Tate"; Scott replied, "...if that were the case why on earth did the Tate turn down the art we offered them?" In May 2008, Jason James, head of the

British Council The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language (and the Welsh lang ...

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, ordered a print from the gallery of ''

Sir Nicholas Serota Makes an Acquisitions Decision ''Sir Nicholas Serota Makes an Acquisitions Decision'' is one of the paintings that was made as a part of the Stuckism art movement,Cripps, Charlotte"Visual arts: Saying knickers to Sir Nicholas ''The Independent'', 7 September 2004. Retrieved ...

'', Thomson's "infamous" painting of Tate gallery director, Sir Nicholas Serota, with a view to unveiling it during Serota's forthcoming visit.Duff, Oliver
"Printing delay saves Serota from heated cultural exchange"
''

'', 5 May 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008. A printing delay prevented this.

''Go Figure''

In June 2008, the gallery opened ''Go Figure'', a figurative exhibition by nine artists including Diarmuid Byron O'Connor, Beth Carter, Mila Judge Furstova, Gay Ribisi, Dormice, Carmen Giraldez,

, Thomas Ostenberg and Paul Normansell. An article on ''Go Figure'' in '' GQ'' magazine showed Normansell's painting of

Kate Moss Katherine Ann Moss (born 16 January 1974) is an English model. Arriving towards the end of the "supermodel era", Moss rose to fame in the early 1990s as part of the heroin chic fashion trend. Her collaborations with Calvin Klein brought her t ...

, which was seen by the manager of rock band

The Killers The Killers are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After the band went through a number of short-term bas ...

, who commissioned Normansell to create the artwork for the

Day & Age ''Day & Age'' is the third studio album by American Rock music, rock band the Killers. It was released on November 18, 2008, by Island Records. Frontman and lead vocalist Brandon Flowers described it as the band's "most playful record". , ''Da ...

album and the single,

Human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...

."News and events: The Killers commission Paul Normansell for album and video art"
A Gallery. Retrieved 23 December 2008. The video to the single

the Killers The Killers are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After the band went through a number of short-term bas ...

featured Normansell's paintings.

Scientology connections

In 2001, Scott became a member of the

Church of Scientology The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations devoted to the practice, administration and dissemination of Scientology, which is variously defined as a cult, a business, or a new religiou ...

during a trip to

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. The gallery had a shelf of books for sale by Scientology founder,

L. Ron Hubbard Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (March 13, 1911 – January 24, 1986) was an American author and the founder of Scientology. A prolific writer of pulp science fiction and fantasy novels in his early career, in 1950 he authored the pseudoscie ...

and hosted religious workshops for the Church about two times a week. Scott said that the importance of artists is acknowledged by Scientology, whose teachings can help artists' work by improving their "emotional tone", which in the case of

Francis Bacon Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban (; 22 January 1561 – 9 April 1626) was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England under King James I. Bacon argued for the importance of nat ...

was "all fear". Scott has worked with photographer

Tyler Shields Tyler Shields (born April 29, 1982) is an American photographer, screenwriter, director, and former professional inline skater. Shields is known for his provocative photography involving violence and danger. Shields gained additional notoriety ...

, who has said of A Gallery's Scientology affiliation, "I have a lot of friends that are Scientologists ... Fraser ee Scott the guy who runs that gallery, he found me back in the MySpace days. He is a very, very fucking smart guy and he has a great eye for things. He worked at my last gallery and to my knowledge he wasn't promoting Scientology to anybody, he was trying to sell art." The A Gallery was located at 154 Merton Hall Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 3PZ.

References

External links

* {{commons category Defunct contemporary art galleries in London 1997 establishments in England Art museums and galleries established in 1997