Did you know that in the chocolate-box village of Woodstock you can see (and potentially buy) bold, colourful artwork from modern artists like Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Tracey Emin? You do now! Find out more in our chat with Dantzig Gallery owner, Dave Davies (left).
Tell us about what you sell
Dantzig specialises in modern and contemporary art. We put on revolving displays of pictures by some of the great names of 20th century art, such as David Hockney, Tracey Emin, Peter Blake and Pablo Picasso. We also support emerging artists.
How long have you been going?
We put on our first exhibitions in 2016 and have been evolving ever since, both in our central Woodstock space and through a series of pop-up shows around the county.
What motivated you to start a business?
For us, art has always been a passion. We’re very fortunate to have been able to start up a thinking gallery which presents innovative and classic work both for the public and for serious collectors.
The more we do, the more excited we get.
What do you like best about being based in Oxfordshire?
I tried to find an exhibition space this good in London and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. What I like about being based here is that we can run a gallery in an antique building which makes modern art stand out.
Do you think Oxfordshire is a good place to run a small business?
Being in Oxfordshire makes us unique. We have a pivotal role in our community because of the breadth of exhibitions we present. All sorts of people drop in to look at the art, and we strive to be friendly and accessible. Our location, in the heart of Woodstock, plays a huge part in helping us achieve this.
What's the best thing about running a small business?
It’s always good to be your own boss. Although, sometimes,
when I look up at our gallery walls, I know who the real bosses are - Terry Frost, Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon, Joan Miro!
What’s the biggest challenge?
Getting new people over our doorstep is always going to be a challenge. Thankfully we’ve tackled this with an exciting programme of events. These range from talks on art history to our very own Book Club, and last year we staged a table tennis competition in the middle of the gallery - anything goes, so long as it’s refreshing. Our approach has a positive effect in getting people who’ve never looked at modern art before to take an interest in what we do. It works.
What's the funniest thing that's happened in the gallery?
Our attempt at recreating the silver walls of Andy Warhol’s factory using Bacofoil comes close to topping the list...
What’s your favourite product?
It’s difficult to choose any one picture but, if I had to highlight something, I’d say some of the paintings by Tommy Fiendish (see below) which are on display at the moment. He’s a young East London-based artist who is transfixed with images of swans and skulls. His pictures are bright and rhythmic - I lust after his brushwork. There’s something very insistent about his use of paint.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?
People who can’t make it to the gallery can still follow our work on Instagram and Facebook. We also travel out to people’s houses to give private viewings and consultations with the very best art, and we’ve just introduced a pioneering initiative through the Own Art Network, which provides interest-free loans to enable collectors to purchase original works. So whether you’re a new or established art collector, do get in touch!
Welcome to Daily Info’s 2023 Advent Calendar – 24 days of festive tips, free activities & local shopping suggestions!
This year's calendar offers a mix of Christmas suggestions, taking in traditions in Oxford and the wider area, and free activities & events in the build up to the big day.
