Norfolk


<p>New gallery alert! Tucked above lifestyle store <a href="https://looktwice.co.uk/?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnnHtwQCyiH5i9DQHctTiDPJM43BbDjM7SnWk9_-XyCHxBFQE_egZavHw-XxY_aem_zHJMWNaijvM4GXd5zL0BIw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Look Twice</a> on Lower Goat Lane in Norwich (yes, the one with the unapologetically bright yellow frontage), <a href="https://shug-gallery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shug Gallery</a> is one of the city&#8217;s newest creative spaces &#8211; and very much one to know about.</p>



<p>The gallery is spread across two unfussy, and pleasingly un-intimidating rooms, it’s a space that invites you to actually look at the work, rather than wonder if you’re standing in the right place. And with a rolling programme of regular artist takeovers in the works, and DJs every Saturday afternoon to get you in the mood, it’s not one to sleep on.</p>



<p>First up: Matt Callaby (aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrcallaby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MrCallaby</a>) and <em><a href="https://shug-gallery.com/collections/mrcallaby" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monochrome Thoughts</a></em>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="744" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/20260429_114230.jpg" alt="Monochrome Thoughts by MrCallaby, Shug Gallery Norwich" class="wp-image-78532" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/20260429_114230.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/20260429_114230-800x397.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/20260429_114230-1000x496.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/20260429_114230-768x381.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-turned-off-the-colour">Who turned off the colour?</h2>



<p>If you know&nbsp;MrCallaby&#8217;s work, <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/muddy-meets-artist-mrcallaby-ahead-of-his-solo-exhibition-in-norwich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">or read our recent interview with him</a>, you&#8217;ll know he is renowned&nbsp;for his bold, hyper-graphic colour work, so&nbsp;<em>Monochrome Thoughts&nbsp;</em>might catch you off guard. Gone are the punchy palettes, replaced instead with charcoal, black, white, grey, and something a little more introspective.</p>



<p>But don’t mistake the stripped-back colour for simplicity. If anything, this body of work feels more exposed, and more relatable encompassing everything from vices, mental health, even the highs and lows of dating.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-morning-after-in-full-view">The morning after, in full view</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/BALANCING-ACT.jpg" alt="Balancing Act by Mr Callaby" class="wp-image-78529" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/BALANCING-ACT.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/BALANCING-ACT-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/BALANCING-ACT-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/BALANCING-ACT-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Balancing Act</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Callaby’s signature squishy, bulbous characters are still here &#8211; all soft-edged and almost playful at first glance. Look again and the shift becomes obvious. Expressions sag, eyes hold a little longer. There’s definitely an emotional weight running just beneath the surface. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1277" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/STACKED-GLASSES.jpg" alt="Stacked Glasses by MrCallaby" class="wp-image-78525" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/STACKED-GLASSES.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/STACKED-GLASSES-800x681.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/STACKED-GLASSES-1000x851.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/STACKED-GLASSES-768x654.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Stacked Glasses</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Wine glasses stacked precariously, half empty bottles, burnt-down cigarettes, shots on shots of coffee. Nothing quite tips over the edge &#8211; but everything feels like it could at any moment. It’s that familiar in-between state: the night bleeding into morning, and the slightly fragile reality check that follows, (c&#8217;mon we&#8217;ve all been there!). One piece in particular &#8211; a tower of glasses and stubbed-out cigarettes certainly landed with a jolt back to my youth for me. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-for-your-walls">Not just for your walls</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="906" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Untitled-design-7.jpg" alt="ceramics MrCallaby Monochrome Thoughts" class="wp-image-78538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Untitled-design-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Untitled-design-7-800x725.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Untitled-design-7-768x696.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Elsewhere, the work moves into three dimensions. Callaby’s ceramic pieces &#8211; large, rounded faces &#8211; carry that same emotional tension. They might be smiling but they look like they are on the brink of tears. They’re tactile, characterful, and rather brilliant &#8211; pieces that would sit just as comfortably in a home as they do in a gallery (ideally with something bold and colourful sprouting from the top).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-big-then-take-a-closer-look">Go big, then take a closer look</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1752" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery.jpg" alt="Monochrome Thoughts Shug Gallery" class="wp-image-78542" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery-685x800.jpg 685w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery-856x1000.jpg 856w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery-768x897.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/Screenshot_20260429_162738_Gallery-1315x1536.jpg 1315w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>And then there’s the scale. One oversized canvas, filled with half-drunk bottles, cigarette ends and crumpled packets, stands out &#8211; not just for its subject matter, but for the sheer control of the charcoal. It’s loose, but deliberate. Messy, but incredibly skilled.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">The verdict</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/JUST-A-LITTLE-GLASS-TO-WET-THE-WHISTLE.jpg" alt="Just a Little Glass toasty The Whistle by MrCallaby" class="wp-image-78523" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/JUST-A-LITTLE-GLASS-TO-WET-THE-WHISTLE.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/JUST-A-LITTLE-GLASS-TO-WET-THE-WHISTLE-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/JUST-A-LITTLE-GLASS-TO-WET-THE-WHISTLE-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/04/JUST-A-LITTLE-GLASS-TO-WET-THE-WHISTLE-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Just a Little Glass to Wet The Whistle</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Darker in tone but still laced with humour and familiarity,&nbsp;Callaby proves with <em>Monochrome Thoughts</em> that stripping things back doesn’t mean holding anything in.</p>



<p>Catch it at Shug Gallery until <strong>Sat 16 May</strong> &#8211; and just try leaving without buying a) a piece from the collection (there&#8217;s only a few left btw) and b) one of the many, <em>many</em> cool homeware pieces from Look Twice.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more"><em>IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</em></h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/festival-guide-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk Festivals 2026: The only guide you need</a></li>



<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/indie-cinemas-in-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skip to the flicks! The best indie cinemas in Norfolk</a></li>



<li><a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/ultimate-local-arts-and-culture-guide-for-2025-norfolk-theatre-festivals-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diaries out! Your ultimate local arts and culture guide for 2026</a></li>
</ul>


First look: ‘Monochrome Thoughts’ at Shug Gallery

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