Sited in the heart of Grimsby’s world renowned Fish Dock, turntable gallery has been a driving force in Lincolnshire's art scene for the past three years. In that short space of time, it has brought world class exhibitors to the town, seen the retrieval and restoration of culturally significant artefacts, raised pride in the community and…. well, had a lot of fun doing it!
turntable gallery, founded and directed by artists, Dale Wells and Darren Neave (RCA) have nurtured burgeoning artists, fostered a community of creatives of many diverse backgrounds and provided a safe, inclusive space for people to be nourished by art and the many benefits which come from it.
Our role in the community has evolved over the past few years to encompass poetry nights, zinefests, filming locations, portfolio development, public sculpture and many, many more, but always has had our ambitious and captivating exhibitions at the core of who we are. With the addition of Lucy’s Art Club and our newly launched Purple Peacock CIC, that list is about to extend even further! And whatever it is, we’ll never stop championing Grimsby, and what our artistic impact deserves to be!
Richard Meaghan's series of self-portraits reflects his sharp critique of society, examining the complexities of identity, power, and societal expectations. He describes his art as a form of protest, aiming to expose the ugliness, hypocrisy, and sickness of the world. His emasculated figures, often grotesque and exaggerated, are a satirical commentary on the dehumanization and corruption he observes in the world today.
Are you looking for professional feedback about your work? Transitioning from hobbyist to professional? Want to get another set of eyes on your creations? Our portfolio sessions are for you.
Sessions will be held at our gallery on Grimsby’s dock, Spring of 2025. Dates will to be confirmed later.
We offer this service for FREE, but a donation to the gallery would be welcome!
Register your interest by emailing info@turntablegallery.uk
or message us on Facebook or Instagram: @turntablegallery
turntable gallery is delighted to bring these two giants of illustration together for the first time.
The show features a wide array of Peter Forster's drawings with accompanying pieces, and prints by James Gillray, taken from across their expansive body of work.
A new and reimagined Grim statue is standing proud on its plinth in the heart of Grimsby once again.
For 33 years, the iconic Grim and Havelock statue stood outside the Grimsby Institute, depicting the legendary story of Grim saving Prince Havelock. It was taken down from its plinth in 2006 following repeated episodes of vandalism, but was unearthed and brought out of storage in 2022, ahead of a special exhibition the following year.
Last year, the statue was restored to its former glory and put on display at Grimsby's Fishing Heritage Centre, before moving to its permanent home on Freeman Street Market.
To fill the empty plinth on Grimsby Institute's Nuns Corner campus and celebrate the facility's 80th anniversary, Dale Wells and Darren Neave, co-owners of the Turntable Gallery on Grimsby Docks, worked with students and staff from a range of departments to come up with an idea for a new statue.
The design was created by art students Libby-Marie Pinchbeck, Chloe Coulam and Crystal Chivers, before being brought to life by students in fabrication and welding, motor vehicle bodywork and construction curriculums.
Text by Lauren Davidson, Chief Reporter, Grimsby Telegraph
turntable gallery was delighted to be awarded the incredible opportunity to preserve the memorial to the memories of those valiant minesweepers who lost their lives, clearing the estuary and beyond, of enemy mines.
As part of the gallery’s ongoing commitment to preserving out material heritage, and restoring the artifacts of our shared past, this project was one we relished. The task required sympathetic cleaning, re-establishing the worn lettering, and replacing the lost badges. The latter involving extensive research and contact with specialists in the field. These new ceramic pieces have been sourced from Italian artisans, and now adorn the central stone.
To restore this important monument, and preserve its legacy for future generations to remember these heroes by, has felt incredibly poignant, considering the hardships people face to this day, in the channel. Working on repainting the lettering of the faded names, and learning a little of the lives they lived, and left behind, has made their stories incredibly immediate. Would that their sacrifices be an end to wars, but sadly, not. All were left with is the too long list of names, etched in marble, defiant against the harsh gales and haunting waters. The least we can do is ensure the record of their passing is preserved.
Words by restorer Dale Wells:
"It has been an incredible day. In many ways it was the summation of many months of rescuing, researching, and restoring the monumental body of The Family Group and the drawing forth of the memories and emotions it both marks and elicits.
With the help of Darren Neave, Kerry Henderson, Oasis Academy Immingham, Blackrow Group, Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Civic Society, and a million other amazing souls, not least those who donated to the restoration fund, this iconic work is back where it belongs. Not in a recycling centre, but back and proud on the wall of the Oasis Academy, Immingham.
I feel so incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to restore the work to something of its former spirit, and will always count it as one of my most important achievements. More importantly, it shows that public sculpture is a force for good, a marker for poignancy and a symbol of place and endurance.
We can never let these things be taken from us, not simply slip from view."