Swann Gallery - About Us

Susannah de Sherburne

Susannah was born in 1964 into an established family of London property surveyors/artists and fashion hat designers, as an only child Susannah was from a young age surrounded by and involved with property design, refurbishment and creative ideas.

Her family background has provided a constant source of artistic inspiration. Her maternal Great Aunt was a hat designer in Bond Street for 40 years and designed for Lady Churchill amongst others. Her style and grace was a wonderful inspiration, during the first 20 years of Susannah's life. Her maternal Grandmother and Aunt were both well established artists and from an early age Susannah stayed with them and observed them in their studios in Rye as they alternated between oils, pottery and model design. Susannah's passion for old properties was derived from her paternal Grandmother who was one the first lady surveyors in the 1920's and ran her own building company. Susannah's father followed in his mother's footsteps.

Although Susannah chose to read law and established a career as a lawyer in the City of London as a commercial litigation partner, and latterly as a family lawyer her main interest and passion has always been interior design, colour, decorative antique furniture and music. She plays the clarinet and the piano. In recent years her appreciation of art has moved towards contemporary paintings and sculpture.
Susannah lives between Oxfordshire and Provence, France.

Stephen Lack – St Tropez

Stephen was born in London in 1947 and was interested in art from a young age and during his teenage years spent most of his time in the London art galleries where he discovered Van Gogh, Gaucin and Modigilani. He undertook several art appreciation courses and in his early adult years he went to work for a restoration firm in Cambridge and was involved with projects for Cambridge University, Audley End and the Jockey Club in Newmarket specialising in antique furniture and fabrics.

He immigrated to France about 40 years ago and went to live in the Samur Loire Valley where he opened his own business as an antique dealer and restorer importing and exporting furniture between France the UK.

He moved to Aix- en Provence about 30 years ago and continued trading in antiques and restoration work.

Susan Harris - Woodstock

Susan Harris was born in South Africa and studied art History and Painting. It was in Africa that she discovered her love of expressive hand built pottery. She has travelled extensively worldwide and has enjoyed the work of potters in remote villages in places such as the Himalayas, Peru and Zimbabwe. This is complimented by her experiences of art galleries and museums across the globe.

Susan came to the UK in 2008 to assist Susannah in one of her business ventures in Burford, Oxon. She enjoys interacting with people and discussing ideas and projects and looks forward to welcoming you to this new and alternative experience of art in Woodstock.

Gay Melrose - Rye

Gay has lived in Historical Rye for 22 years with her husband and three children. Gay appreciates the country side and being in touch with nature due to the overall wellbeing this gives you. She spends her free time enjoying the benefits of yoga, reflexology and aromatherapy.

Over the past years she has worked with special needs children and coordinated a Social Use of Language Programme within a primary school. Art was used for the children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder who had limited ability to communicate verbally and it helped them express their feelings. It was from then on that she realised how art plays a significant role in peoples everyday lives. Her passion for art in all forms started to flourish from that point on.

Gay enjoys the light, bright, and vibrant atmosphere of our Rye Gallery. Gay will encourage you to stay for a glass of wine whilst the light changes against the backdrop of the paintings, pottery and sculptures in the afternoon and early evening, allowing the paintings to give up their secrets to your emotions.