MEET THE MEMBER – George Thornton Art
In this edition of MEET THE MEMBER, we spoke with George Thornton, founder and owner of George Thornton Art in Nottingham. After years of working for another gallery, George set out to create something of his own – a space that pushes boundaries and offers a fresh take within the UK’s contemporary art market.
After training as a Michelin starred chef, George decided to leave the industry without knowing what he would do next. One day, he stumbled into a gallery where a job was being advertised in the window. He applied, was offered the job, and the rest is history! His first job in the gallery was as an Art Advisor, where he offered support and guidance to customers looking to acquire, manage and understand art. From there, he worked his way up to Gallery Manager before stepping into the role of Area Sales Manager for a chain of associated galleries in the region.
After many years working in the arts sector – for galleries, dealers and publishers -George felt that he had become “a little disillusioned by what was available” on the market. George felt that, at the time, most galleries tended to look the same, “selling the exact same print runs… same aesthetic and same art”. In January 2010, he opened his own gallery to offer something different, dealing mainly in original works and unique, one-off pieces. The early years were tough. He had set up the gallery in the heart of a recession, in an area that, while quite “bohemian and arty”, came with zero footfall. After a year at this original location, George managed to break the lease and move his business into the city centre where the gallery continues to thrive today.
George Thornton Art aims to bridge the gap between commercial art and art that offers something more interesting and thought provoking. The gallery has a very modern aesthetic, and deals in original work by a variety of artists, all utilising a range of unusual techniques and materials. George explained,
“We try and push the boundaries – to offer art that is different to the norm, different from other galleries and different to what’s currently on the market”
George believes in an honest and transparent selling experience – “I don’t like people to lie when selling. Telling someone that art is a guaranteed investment doesn’t sit well with me”. Instead, George tries to foster the opposite approach to selling in his gallery, basing all interactions in “incredible customer care, good product knowledge and bags of empathy”. He aims to make people feel relaxed and comfortable within the gallery space, confident in the support given by his team and happy with both the purchase and with the art buying experience.
One of the ways that George is able to support his customers to feel comfortable and confident when buying original art is with the help of Own Art. George Thornton Art became a member of the Own Art scheme in 2016, enabling his customers to spread the cost of their purchase, interest free, over 10 months as an alternative to paying in full. Looking back to the early days of his gallery, George suggests that Own Art actually saved his business, explaining that,
“Own Art helped to keep the wolf from the doors, by allowing me to progress purchases for clients that couldn’t quite rationalise spending a lot of money in one go. Today, as the gallery is more stable, being an Own Art member makes it clear to my customers that art ownership is for everyone”
People buy art for many reasons – whether as an investment, a form of self-expression, or simply because it evokes an emotional response. “It’s in our nature”, George commented, “human beings have had paintings on their walls for thousands of years. There is something embedded in our psyche which has been passed down from generation to generation”.
Sam peacock, Corrread Maine. Oil , Coffee and Sugar burnt onto steel
For George, art has transformed his living and working environments. By bringing original artwork into both his personal and professional spaces, his daily life has become more enriching and inspiring.
“You should try it, put a picture on a blank wall and see how it changes the room design, layout and mood. Its extraordinary”
Discover George Thornton Art for yourself:
Visit their website: www.georgethorntonart.com
Follow them on Instagram: nottinghamgeorgethorntonart
With thanks to George of George Thornton Art. This interview has been edited for clarity, length and readability.