Texture, Tension, and Tenderness: "Made of Place" has arrived at Emerald Gallery
They say home is where the heart is, but at Emerald Gallery this spring, we’re finding that "home" is actually found in the cracks of the pavements, the shift of the light, and the land we live in and explore.
We’ve officially kicked off Made of Place, and honestly? The energy in the room during the opening was nothing short of magic. This show is our love letter to the landscapes and communities that shape who we are. It’s local, it’s personal, and it’s finally open for you to wander through.
Meet the Artists
The strength of this exhibition lies in the four powerhouse women who have transformed our walls. While their mediums range from oil paint to Japanese watercolours and textiles, they are all connected by a deep curiosity about where we belong.
Ali Mackie, Jacqueline Ford, Josie Clouting and Catherine Hammerton - The Artists - Made Of Place.
Ali Mackie: The Ritual of the Threshold
Ali’s work is a masterclass in the "quiet act of noticing." Based in Amersham Old Town, she creates "portraits of a home" by translating foraged finds—winter branches, late-season berries, and garden remnants—into thick, expressive textures. For Ali, the wreath is a symbol of the threshold and a gesture of welcome. Her pieces aren’t just botanical studies; they are tactile memories of the very patch of earth we walk on.
Josie Clouting: Light and the Cornish Edge
Josie is a hunter of light and texture. Though she paints from her Oxfordshire studio, her heart has firm roots in the dramatic Cornish coastline. She translates wild weather and rugged rock formations into bold brushmarks and brilliant flashes of color. Whether it’s a stormy grey sky or a hidden patch of coastal vibrance, Josie’s paintings capture the raw, untamed energy of the places where the land meets the sea.
Catherine Hammerton: Kinship and Common Land
A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Catherine works with paper and cloth to explore the "common lands" she grew up around. She uses wild flora as a visual metaphor for sisterhood and shared history—using the concept of hiraeth (a deep longing for home) to guide her hand. Her delicate paper pieces feel like silent conversations, honoring the plant lore traditionally shared by women.
Jacqueline Ford: Portals to the Coast
Jacqueline’s contribution is a fascinating "studio secret" finally coming to light. Born from a 100-day creative challenge using Japanese watercolours (introduced to her by fellow exhibitor Josie!), her work evolved into "hagstone pebble portals." These abstract, Zen-like circles are grounded in the alchemy of the coast. Even from her landlocked Marlow studio, Jacqueline manages to bottle the soul of the seaside, offering us a meditative "portal" back to the water.
These four have brought so much heart to the gallery.
There is a beautiful thread of friendship, connection and influence running through this collection that we can't wait for you to see in person.
Come Say Hello
Made of Place is running all through the spring season. Whether you’re an art aficionado or you just need a quiet moment, our doors are open.
Where: Emerald Gallery, 1, Blay’s House. Churchfield Road. Chalfont St Peter. SL99EW.
When: Tuesday to Saturday - 9 to 5.
The Essence: Inviting, inspiring, and very much of this place.
All images by the fabulous lumagroupco.