Discover the North East art gallery defying economic downturns, putting art investment first and showcasing some of the most sought-after artwork in the heart of Newcastle.
In 2019, Hancock Gallery was established in a beautifully renovated Georgian townhouse located in Newcastle’s City Centre, adjacent to the chic suburb of Jesmond. It was founded by local business owner and art enthusiast, Lee Stobbart, with the aim to provide those who love art with the opportunity to acquire world-class pieces.
Hancock Gallery, which borrows its name from its former next-door neighbour, John Hancock, now boasts an impressive selection of high-quality artwork from around the world. Displaying exquisite oil paintings, ceramics and limited edition collectors’ prints, it features renowned artwork from the likes of British painter Mark Demsteader, American artists SJ Fuerst and Ron Hicks, Ukrainian artist Iryna Yermolova, and many more.
To find out more about Hancock Gallery and its aims for the future, we sat down with Curatorial Manager, Chris Morgan.
How have trends evolved in the industry over the past few years, and what challenges do you foresee for art galleries in the near future?
“Post-pandemic, the art world has certainly seen a trend away from big exhibition previews. We now see more attention being paid to online collections, print drops, and that goes hand in hand with art collectors being far more confident to buy art online. We regularly secure big purchases for clients as far away as LA and Sydney. So I think the future challenges for galleries will be providing experiences, exhibitions and events for their clients and gallery visitors. To re-engage people to physically view artwork in the pristine and tailored environment of an art gallery.”
Speaking of experiences, exhibitions and events, are there any in particular that have taken place at Hancock Gallery that are a highlight for you?
“One of the most recent highlights was our sponsorship and participation in 2023’s Shaun the Sheep on The Tyne with St Oswald’s Hospice.
It was designed to draw people around the city on an art trail with giant Shaun the Sheep sculptures featuring alongside local businesses. We designed our own ‘Shaunalisa’. Shaun’s head was bursting through a replica of the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. It was an incredible opportunity to draw in new audiences to our activity room designed for children of all ages! This year, we’re very excited to be planning a big exhibition with local art sensation, Mul, and fellow street artist, Prefab77.
We’ve also worked hard to consign artwork from a number of collectors who are looking to sell on parts of their personal collections. We’ve seen iconic pieces come through the gallery by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Peter Blake, Damien Hirst, Edgar Degas, L.S Lowry, Henry Moore, Picasso, and many more. It’s been really wonderful to sell these pieces for our clients and help them realise their investments, whilst also giving our local audience the opportunity to see these pieces up close.”
Gallery Owner, Lee Stobbart, also added “To be able to showcase these iconic pieces in Newcastle makes me incredibly proud of the work Hancock Gallery has achieved over the last five years.”
Hancock Gallery’s advisory team has nearly 15 years of experience in guiding art lovers to invest in artwork for their homes, businesses and portfolios, providing tailored insights and knowledge, as they know the market inside out.
To keep up to date with what’s new and what’s coming up, follow Hancock Gallery’s socials on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the website to find out more about what’s proudly presented on the gallery’s walls for you to browse and buy.
hancockgallery.co.uk