We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and provide an insight as to how the ‘Clemente Galeria de Torrox’ was born.  Mike has been in Sales and Corporate finance for as long as he can remember with Jan coming from an artistic and creative background which progressed to the establishment of her own successful performing arts and musical theatre school.

 

We both have a passion for works of creative imagination, these include all types of art, sculpture, artefacts and jewellery.  Whether classical, contemporary or simply traditional we now search worldwide  for pieces that portray distinctive and original characters and style that are truly individual and interesting.

 

Before re-locating, like many UK ex-pats we enjoyed exploring the different areas of Spain and its cultures. About 5 years ago we were extremely lucky to stumble across Torrox Pueblo a truly delightful, traditional village.  Luckier still, we were fortunate to purchase a house there. Whilst it was initially our holiday retreat, it enabled us to experience and enjoy the very warm and wonderful hospitality of the village people and absorb and observe a more relaxed way of life that was totally different to that which we were used to  – without realising it, this was to become the beginning of our journey to establishing the Galeria.

 

Over the years we dressed and co-ordinated our Spanish home with various pieces of art, crafts and furniture that appealed to our eye and touched our heart and soul - we had no idea of the reaction that our choice of décor and interior furnishing/design was to receive.  Nor did we envisage that the BBC would eventually film our home.

 

As we began to meet people and invite our new friends and neighbours for dinner, drinks etc., together with holiday visits from family and friends, it soon became apparent from their reactions and comments that there was an overwhelming consensus they were in ‘awe’ of our home.  Adjectives such as vibrant, elegant, stylish, warm and probably most of all ‘wow’ were used and this was purely on entering.  Initially this was quite embarrassing to us given we simply created an environment and ambience that felt comfortable and balanced to ourselves.

 

It appears we have been bestowed with an untapped talent, which has already been referred to as Feng Shui without knowing.          

  

As time went by we began to feel an increasing unease with life in the UK fast-lane, and allied with our love of Torrox, the desire to permanently move to Spain grew.  But what could we do given we were in our mid 50’s and certainly not ready to retire.

 

Appreciating just how important creating the right home environment is for us, and the impact that art, sculpture and interesting artefacts has had in helping us achieve this, the idea of a Galeria seemed an obvious choice – but it had to be a  Galeria with a difference.

 

And so our vision, the Clemente Galaria de Torrox has become a reality.  If, like us, you enjoy and appreciate unusual and interesting objects of art and craftsmanship large and small, we personally invite you to pop in, have a browse and meander – with a glass of wine in hand - and discover for yourself our unique selection of sculptures, art pieces, ceramics, jewellery and traditional craft work and perhaps you will find your own piece of ‘art to cherish’.