The Russians are coming!

Francis Iles Galleries in Rochester, Kent announce a very special exhibition of contemporary Russian paintings, open to the general public from 8 October.

The exhibition is spearheaded by Valeriy Gridnev, Katya Gridneva (both now well established) and their son Fedor Gridnev. Like most Russians from St Petersburg they are renowned for their life drawing skills and for their classic approach to painting. Other well known Russians being exhibited will be include artists like Hanan Milner, Olga Oreshnikov, ElenaBasanova, Boris Anikin, Olga Siminova, Natalya Sultanova, Sabir Gadziev and Svetlana Gazieva.

Francis Iles celebrate 50 years in business this year. The Gallery has been in the Iles family all this time and is now the biggest private gallery in the South East outside London, a remarkable success story. The three partners, Alayne Fysh, Nettie Iles-North and Lucy Horner are the daughters of the original owners.

The gallery offers contemporary work by over 100 living artists though they have long represented the families of Rowland Hilder OBE, PPRI, PPRSMA, Clive Madgwick RBA and Roland Batchelor RWS, exhibiting them from their early success up until they died. Current living artists include Anita Jeram, Michael Chaplin and John Scarland.

The gallery has earned a wonderful reputation for paintings, sculpture, ceramics, pottery and jewellery in a wide range of styles from “loose” to representational, avoiding the more extreme pieces of abstract work they are often offered.

Nettie Iles-North said: “Over the years we have attracted talented artists from all over the world and our discerning customers appreciate being shown quality work be it Italian, Canadian, British or Russian”

Other facilities on offer include a full framing service, employing Fine Art Trade Guild trained framers and an expert conservation and restoration service, counting Leeds Castle and the Royal Engineers Officers Mess, Chatham among their clients.

For more information please visit www.francis-iles.com