Journalist, TV presenter, former Government Minister and well known art connoisseur Michael Portillo, on a recent visit to Stratford and at our invitation, called in to our gallery in Old Red Lion Court, drawn here primarily by his lifelong interest in, and deep understanding of, contemporary art.

Michael has presented many television documentaries, notably appearing in the BBC series ‘Art That Shook The World’ and is also a Patron of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the President of which, Peter Wileman, shows in our gallery along with a number of the institute’s other members.

He spent several hours with us, reviewing, analysing and discussing the artwork on show and was sufficiently impressed with the standard and quality of many of the exhibits to allow his comments and impressions to form the basis of the documentary now showing on our website.

He was particularly taken with our recently acquired collection of work by artists from Russia, as well as the wide variety of original artwork exhibits from our more well known UK artists such as Gordon King, Mike Bernard, Rosa Sepple and Colin Kent.

During his visit, we pressed him for an opinion on his favourite piece on display and after much deliberation, he finally settled on a large, colourful and vibrant oil on canvas entitled 'Composizione Con Oggetti, by Italian impressionist Roberto Di Viccaro.....this is available at £2750.

He was reluctant to leave us but had further pressing engagements.....

....his parting words say it all....

"The Hillier Gallery is an exceptional place..... I sense Andrew's commitment to quality in every canvas. Here hangs a challenging collection of vigorous contemporary artists drawn from far and wide.... to walk amongst them is uplifting and moving in turns. As I linger here I muse that to live with one of these pieces would bring lasting joy".

Michael Portillo