Moncrieff-Bray Gallery

01/05/2026

Lovely to see wooden pieces on display at .artfair . Alongside Max .petworth and amazing work from community art programme. Outside in the sculpture garden are works by two of favourite gallery artists and showing his endearing creatures. The old library in the main building is filled with intriguing creations and the gardens are looking just fabulous, Well worth an outing this weekend the fair continues until Monday 4 May

21/04/2026

During the 1980s John immersed himself in the Far Wood at his parents house Greenleaves, painting a series of views in all seasons. This archive image shows a painting in progress following the great storm of 1987. Painted en plein air, the works exude confidence, the paint laid on with broad sweeping brush strokes. Asked if he ever repeated or removed a brush stroke, John replied, 'No you just have to get it right the first time'. ⁠
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The exhibition Patterns of Seeing is open for just two more days Fri 24 and Sat 25 April. Don't miss this opportunity to see works spanning 50 years of John's career from impressionistic landscapes of the 1960s to his more recent abstract works and painted wooden pieces. ⁠
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JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing ⁠
OPENING TIMES: ⁠
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Friday 24 and Saturday 25 April ⁠
10 am -4 pm ⁠
Or by appointment ⁠
✉️ [email protected]⁠
📱 07867978414⁠
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20/04/2026

17/04/2026

Aerial photographs taking by John in a low flying aircraft over the South Downs in the 1990s. I am often asked if John's later abstract work was influenced by aboriginal art. The answer is no. John gained a new perspective from the air. He had been struggling with the concept of the horizon as a way of depicting landscape and now looked down on the world horizontally. He saw field patterns, plough lines, fence posts, stubble burning, wind in the crops. It was a revelation to abandon a naturalistic palette and concentrate on the formal elements of a few restricted colours. ⁠
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The gallery is open tomorrow from 10 am - 4 pm. John will be in the gallery from 11.30 am - 1.30 pm. The show has been extended for a further week and will be open on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 from 10 am - 4 pm or by appointment.⁠
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16/04/2026

We wanted to let you know about another exhibition of John's work 'Elements of Landscape' at Gilbert White's House in Selbourne. So many of our visitors have purchased copies of John's New Book 'Elements of Landscape' which focuses on his three dimensional work using the physical properties of landscape including wood, sand and stone. The exhibition complements this recently published book. It shows new work including drawings, sculpture and studies from his sketchbooks. It is a wonderful addition to our show which looks mainly at his paintings over 50 years. ⁠
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John writes 'It is a privilege to exhibit in this house. Looking back over the past 86 years, observing the South Downs landscape and the natural world around my home has been a constant in my life.'⁠
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The exhibition continues until June 28⁠
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13/04/2026

Due to the overwhelming response and record visitor numbers. We have extended the exhibition to be open for two extra days the 24 and 25 April. We are open this week as usual Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. ⁠
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Visitor comments have included, 'John is an artist who balance those two weighty qualities of his profession: the intellect and the intuitive heart; held together in the love of subject. Thank God there is someone who stands tall, showing us what a life in art can really mean for the fullness of all our being. ⁠
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JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing ⁠
OPENING TIMES: until 18 April ⁠
Tuesday -Saturday 10 am to 4 pm ⁠
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And also Friday 24 and Saturday 25 April ⁠
10 am -4 pm ⁠
Or by appointment ⁠
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✉️ [email protected]⁠
📱 07867978414⁠
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10/04/2026

We are really looking forward to seeing John Hitchens the gallery tomorrow morning from 11.30 to talk about his work and sign copies of his two wonderful monographs 'Aspects of Landscapes and 'Elements of Landscape'. ⁠
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JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing. Tuesday - Saturday until 18 April and then two further days Friday 24 and Saturday 25 April ⁠
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OPENING TIMES 10 am - 4 pm ⁠
Or by appointment ⁠
✉️ [email protected]⁠
📱 07867978414⁠
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09/04/2026

This image of John and Ros Hitchens loading paintings into a taxi to take to a London exhibition in the 1960s is a snap shot in time. It lends great resonance to the paintings from this period included in our current exhibition. The works we have from the 1960s are rare survivals and we are honoured John has released them from his studio. They reflect his early figurative style, capturing the South Downs characterised by broad brush strokes and energetic swirling skies. ⁠
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1,Southern Skies, 1968, 2, Blue Hills and Skies (detail) 1968. 3, Lowland Vision (detail), 1968. ⁠
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JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing runs from 28 March to 18 April ⁠
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OPENING TIMES⁠
Tuesday -Saturday 10 am to 4 pm ⁠
Or by appointment ⁠
✉️ [email protected]⁠
📱 07867978414⁠
JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing runs from 28 March to 18 April

07/04/2026

Thank you to for these inspiring shots of John's exhibition. They capture the layout and strong connections between some of the works so well. Holding the show here, near Petworth, so close to where John has lived and worked all his life gives the work an added resonance. The gallery nestled at the foot of the South Downs has views of fields and woodland through the big barn windows which resonate strongly with the works displayed. ⁠
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JOHN HITCHENS: Patterns of Seeing runs from 28 March to 18 April ⁠
⁠
OPENING TIMES⁠
Tuesday -Saturday 10 am to 4 pm ⁠
Or by appointment ⁠
✉️ [email protected]⁠
📱 07867978414⁠
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