CLOSE GALLERY

There is something quietly remarkable happening in the village of Hatch Beauchamp. Hidden among the gentle lanes and rolling countryside of South Somerset, CLOSE Gallery has become one of the county's most significant destinations for contemporary art, proving that world-class exhibitions needn't be confined to London or the major cities.

Founded in 2019 by Freeny Yianni, CLOSE has steadily established a reputation that reaches far beyond Somerset. International in outlook yet deeply rooted in its local landscape, the gallery has developed a distinctive programme that places internationally recognised artists alongside emerging voices, all within the historic setting of Close House and its increasingly ambitious sculpture grounds.

The contrast is part of its charm. Visitors arrive through understated gardens, where the pace of rural life encourages a slower way of looking. Beyond the gallery walls, sculpture is beginning to inhabit the landscape itself, creating an evolving conversation between art and nature that continues to develop with each exhibition.

At the heart of CLOSE is Yianni herself. Before moving west, she spent the 1990s at London's prestigious Lisson Gallery, one of the world's leading contemporary galleries, where she developed an exceptional understanding of artists, collectors and the international art market. Yet it was not the pace of London's commercial art world that ultimately defined her career, but a desire to create something more personal, generous and lasting.

That instinct to nurture has become the gallery's defining quality.

Rather than recreating the exclusivity often associated with contemporary art, Yianni has built a space where artists, collectors, writers, curators and local visitors meet on equal footing. CLOSE's exhibition openings have become much-anticipated occasions within the South West cultural calendar, attracting established figures from the art world while remaining refreshingly welcoming to first-time visitors.

For many local residents, the gallery has become an accessible introduction to contemporary art. Exhibition by exhibition, conversations replace preconceptions, allowing audiences to engage with challenging ideas in an environment that feels both relaxed and intellectually generous.

That balance between international ambition and community spirit extends beyond the gallery walls. Yianni serves as Co-Chair of Somerset Art Weeks, helping shape one of the region's most important cultural festivals, while also giving her time to support local makers and craftspeople. It is a commitment to cultural ecology as much as artistic excellence—recognising that thriving creative communities depend upon generosity, collaboration and shared opportunity.

CLOSE's reputation has continued to grow through an ambitious programme that bridges Somerset and London. Earlier this year the gallery presented Rock, Paper, Scissors, bringing together artists including Ted Rogers and Hew Locke, while simultaneously collaborating with Proposition Studios in Bethnal Green on After Nature, a group exhibition organised by former Tate Britain curator Ben Tufnell.

Reflecting on the London presentation, Yianni observed: "'After Nature' has always been about attunement to place, to materials, and to our shifting relationship with the natural world. Bringing this exhibition from the Somerset countryside to Bethnal Green allows us to explore that dialogue in a new way, within an urban environment shaped by human history, industry and renewal."

It is an approach that perfectly encapsulates CLOSE's sustainable ethos: art rooted in place while remaining part of an international conversation.

Behind the gallery's growing reputation is a remarkably dedicated team whose enthusiasm and expertise give CLOSE its distinctive character. Heading the gallery as Director is the charismatic and hugely knowledgeable Richard Scarry. Bringing a sense of Los Angeles elegance alongside years of experience from auction houses and running his own galleries in Harlem, Scarry has added fresh energy and international dynamism to the Somerset gallery, strengthening its reputation as a destination for collectors, artists and visitors alike.

Supporting him is Exhibitions Organiser Sarah Watney, whose meticulous attention to detail ensures each exhibition unfolds seamlessly. Registrar Anna Hall oversees the gallery and cares for the management of the artworks with quiet professionalism, while designer Charles Martel helps shape the gallery's elegant visual identity. Herika Cristina takes care of hospitality and the house, Andrew Brown the longest standing member of staff takes care of the grounds with technician Tim Bowery who completes the team, bringing practical expertise and an unfailing commitment to presenting every exhibition at its very best.

The gallery is also very much a family endeavour. Yianni's sons, Yanis and Cassius Hammick, are a familiar part of gallery life, while Yianni’s husband, the artist and environmentalist Magnus Hammick, contributes both creatively and philosophically to CLOSE's vision. Together they have cultivated a place where contemporary art feels both internationally connected and genuinely rooted in Somerset.

It is precisely this thoughtful programming and collaborative spirit that make CLOSE such an important cultural asset for Somerset. Without fanfare, it has become a destination where internationally significant contemporary art sits comfortably within a rural setting, enriching both the county's cultural life and its wider reputation.

In an age when so much attention is drawn towards metropolitan institutions, CLOSE demonstrates that extraordinary things can flourish quietly. Here, in one of Somerset's most picturesque villages, contemporary art has found not only a home, but a community.

Whether you are a seasoned collector, a practising artist, or simply curious to experience contemporary art in an inspiring setting, CLOSE extends a warm welcome. Come and discover this remarkable gallery for yourself, stroll through its evolving sculpture grounds, meet the people behind it and become part of the conversation. We'd love to see you.