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The Gledhill Arts Library consists of a diverse collection of books about art and culture donated in part by the Gledhill family who lived in Castlegate, Jedburgh.
In their own words:
‘This collection of books, dvds and cds was amassed over decades by Cannon James (Jim) William Gledhill and his wife Bärbel Gledhill (see photo above) mostly while he served as Vicar of the parish of Warden, Newbrough and Fourstones, Northumberland and later as Rural Dean. The wheel design of the logo was taken from part of our mother’s family signet ring.
Dad was a passionate collector of books and paintings throughout his adult life.
While still at university studying theology he bought his first painting and was criticised for doing so by his local bishop… because the bishop felt a working class young man shouldn’t be spending his money on art as that was reaching above his station. This was after all the 1950s.
The artwork in question was an oil painting from an as yet unknown young artist called Reg Lloyd with whom Dad formed a life long friendship and who later collaborated with Ted Hughes another friend, in the publication of a book of animal themed poetry called ‘What is the Truth?’. For Dad, Love, Beauty, Art and Truth were all intertwined.
Dad proceeded to ignore his bishop and in the end collected around 500 paintings including many by Reg Lloyd and Norman Cornish (the most famous of the “Pit Academy Art School), and a few paintings that even my mother actually liked by more traditional 18th and 19th Century artists!
The 1200 or so mostly artwork books here in this collection are about famous artists and their work that Dad was never likely to own examples of. He also never hung a reproduction anywhere, ever. Warden Vicarage where I was born and grew up with my three siblings, had so many books and pictures that even the small upstairs toilet had a bookshelf and 14 works of art.
While Dad never said as much, I’m sure he would have agreed secretly to the idea that you can never have enough art.
So we hope through this library and through Artaffect you might also gain an unquenchable thirst for artistic endeavour and expression. Gorge yourselves and please replenish!’