James Wray Company

This high end galley, located on James Street South is a haven for the big spending art lover. I nearly choked on the price tags, but having a look wasn’t doing anyone any harm. I felt a little (sorry, understatement, very) uncomfortable here. The feeling in the air was that the gallery attendee wanted us to leave as soon as humanly possible. I didn’t really appreciate this. I am an art lover and be it as it may no I wasn’t in to buy anything but the way I was treated meant that if I had been, I certainly wouldn’t have bothered. The tension in the air could have broken the thickest of museum quality glass. Ok, I wasn’t wearing a Gucci suit with matching Jimmy Choos but I wasn’t in my pyjamas or a tracksuit either. Chill out, I’m not going to put my mucky paw prints anywhere near your precious paintings. I understand the lady was only doing her job, but there is a thing called respect which I expect when I enter a shop.
As a gallery it wasn’t bad. They specialise in sculpture and painting by 20^th century Irish and international artists. Though I must say, nothing screamed to me, look at me now! Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea, maybe it’s because I knew it would take me a century of saving before I could even afford a postcard from here, but I didn’t fall in love with the place, a little too icy for my liking.

A little oil painting I liked cost £4,500 and the most expensive was £28,000 — this should put you in the picture of this small art gallery in James Street South, which wouldn’t feel out of place in London’s Mayfair or at least perhaps in somewhere in Edinburgh. At this range, with the gallery right on street level it is hardly surprising that you have to ring to enter. Here they deal in important Irish paintings, most of which are contemporary although there were own or two Victorian paintings including one by Andrew Nicholl. For obvious reasons, which as the visitors book indicates the last person came in here was over two weeks earlier. It is space that is aimed for those of wealth and tradition, but still, why not look beyond your station once in a while? There will not be anyone interrupting you here.