Step inside for a big surprise

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Many of you will recognise the name Vic Vicary: he’s not only a true Ryer, born and bred but he’s also a very loyal supporter of Rye News and if he’s not putting together his regular quizzes for Rye News he’s passing leads or enquiries which he thinks our readers will appreciate.

He got in touch recently and suggested I take my camera and notebook along to a certain premises in Rye. Having been to visit himself, he convinced me that making the effort was well worth it and how right he was. Thank you Vic, here is what I saw:

As you enter the building the first mural you see is of a magnificent horse, rearing up but with what can only be described as a unicorn on its back, hand painted on raised plasterwork, a sort of mythical frieze.

Further into the building is a scene of two women, making bread in the garden with a clay oven then two men sat amongst sheep overlooking a lake, one in deep contemplation, the other serenading him on a lute with his faithful dog beside him.

Deep in thought

Two much larger friezes depict fishermen in their boats, hauling in their nets as the sun sets behind them then on another, a mythical mermaid adorns the foreground, lying on sand.

Fishermen at work

A statuesque figure of a man holding a trident is the next subject matter then a lighthouse perched on a cliff edge overlooking a calm sea with cascading waterfall. A galleon leaving the shore is another fabulous painting and a pair of deer resting and drinking from the rivers edge.

Deer resting

What is this exhibition all about? Who is the artist? Where can I see these unique friezes and how long is the exhibition open for?

All I can say in answer to some of these questions is, if you like fish and chips and you would rather eat in than take away, make your way to The Strand Fish and Chips at 25 Wish Street (you know the one, on the roundabout as you enter Rye), take a seat in the restaurant. As well as feasting your eyes on the mouth-watering fish and chips, savour the moment as you look around the walls of the restaurant where you will see all these fabulous works of art. They were all lovingly painted by hand by Gunaydin Salim, a Bulgarian Turkish national who works entirely from his own imagination, nothing is copied, it’s all original. His work is also on display at all the four premises owned by this family concern.

Enjoy your visit, I’m told the food is excellent and there is restaurant seating for around 100 covers. For further information on The Strand Fish and Chips go to thestrandfishandchips.co.uk or call them on 01797 223684 to order your take away or eat in meals.

Yet another flourishing Rye business making its mark in the town, we wish them every success.

Image Credits: Nick Forman .

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Marvellous! As my annual spring and summer stream of relatives and friends visiting from abroad is about to start, we shall certainly go there to enjoy the ambiance and the food!

  2. They are amazing. Who knew? Definitely worth a visit to view and I can vouch for the quality of their fish & chips. Delicious.
    The artist has an interesting name ‘Gunaydin’ in english means ‘Good morning’ and Salim means ‘safe and sound’.

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