Close Ltd is thrilled to begin the New Year with a suite of nine heraldic prints by the distinguished West Country painter and printmaker Brian Rice.

Brian first conceived this series as linocuts in 1963 as a response to his move from Somerset to London, where he was instantly struck by the City's plethora of new Bauhaus inspired road and underground signs and symbols. These influences together with an interest in Heraldry began with classes held by the redoubtable Elsie Kay Kohler whilst Rice was at Yeovil School of Art, they informed much of his work at this time.

This series was originally proofed as linocuts on Japanese paper but never editioned. It wasn't until 1999 that Rice decided to have them editioned as screenprints. In 2001 the Tate Gallery bought two of them for their permanent collection.

In addition there will be a selection of his 'Pennant' series of Hybrids (prints overworked with paint)  dating from 2009/10 in our new office building adjacent to the gallery.

"This is the first opportunity I have had to show all nine of these prints together and in such a perfect space. I have shown two or four together in any number of exhibitions, most recently at The Museum of Somerset, but to see them all together is wonderful, my thanks to Freeny Yianni."  Brian Rice