About
HIGH ART GONE BAD: ORIGINS
HAGB is an independent and private gallery founded in 2023 by Mercedes Phillips. The exhibition programme to date has focused on an eclectic variety of artworks by 20th Century, modern European masters and contemporary established artists, sometimes giving spotlight to their more obscure works. HAGB is also committed to supporting serious emerging talent.
Since the gallery's inception, HAGB has collaborated with the extremely well respected Goldmark Gallery. In 2026, HAGB presented 'The HAGB Award' to a prize-winner at the SSA Annual Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh.
HAGB's stance is to provide a high quality informed experience, grounded in context, be it cultural; historical; sociological; political: exhibitions may not exceed 3 a year as a result. HAGB establishes connections with other galleries; buyers; collectors and artists through traditional routes rather than the global art fair circuit and social media.
The director and founder formally trained in Painting (BA hons: FIRST CLASS) at De Montfort University and a postgraduate at Goldsmiths University. She went on to produce set design for a Glasgow theatre and designs for a fairground. One series of works; the "Fabric Paintings", led to collaboration with a London based fashion designer, creating the printed textiles for a collection. She went on to train at Morley & London College of Fashion in pattern cutting and handcraft tailoring,culminating in an apprenticeship in central London's Soho; making jackets for clients on Savile Row and Mayfair. She painted from various London studios, including Vanguard Court and Studio Voltaire and held a short intern at the ICA. She began by exhibiting and curating her own shows and has worked with various UK galleries, artists and arts event directors.
HAGB: THE PATRON
Prior to leaving London for Scotland, Phillips worked for Colonel Henry Brooke (HAGB). A close friendship endured until his death. Brooke housed an impressive collection of paintings and supported her work, unreservedly. The gallery is founded in his honour.
WHO WAS HAGB?
Colonel Henry Arthur Gunning Brooke was awarded an Immediate MC at the final Battle of Monte Cassino, for in the words of General Alexander, his "skill, resourcefulness and inspirational leadership". In mid-May '44, Brooke was in command of a troop of 16/5th Lancers in the Liri Valley where he rallied his badly shaken crew. For 3 days he led a successful offensive in fierce fighting after his commanding officer and squadron leader were killed. Col Brooke contracted malaria in North Africa in '43; was blown up 3 times in his Sherman tank but survived to assume command in '66 of 16/5 Queens Royal Lancers and served as an outstanding Colonel of the 16/5th Regiment from 1979 to 1985.
Chelsea-ite, erudite
Honourable and Champagne-tight
Inspiring and bolshy
Always right.
DEATH OR GLORY
HAGB is an independent and private gallery founded in 2023 by Mercedes Phillips. The exhibition programme to date has focused on an eclectic variety of artworks by 20th Century, modern European masters and contemporary established artists, sometimes giving spotlight to their more obscure works. HAGB is also committed to supporting serious emerging talent.
Since the gallery's inception, HAGB has collaborated with the extremely well respected Goldmark Gallery. In 2026, HAGB presented 'The HAGB Award' to a prize-winner at the SSA Annual Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh.
HAGB's stance is to provide a high quality informed experience, grounded in context, be it cultural; historical; sociological; political: exhibitions may not exceed 3 a year as a result. HAGB establishes connections with other galleries; buyers; collectors and artists through traditional routes rather than the global art fair circuit and social media.
The director and founder formally trained in Painting (BA hons: FIRST CLASS) at De Montfort University and a postgraduate at Goldsmiths University. She went on to produce set design for a Glasgow theatre and designs for a fairground. One series of works; the "Fabric Paintings", led to collaboration with a London based fashion designer, creating the printed textiles for a collection. She went on to train at Morley & London College of Fashion in pattern cutting and handcraft tailoring,culminating in an apprenticeship in central London's Soho; making jackets for clients on Savile Row and Mayfair. She painted from various London studios, including Vanguard Court and Studio Voltaire and held a short intern at the ICA. She began by exhibiting and curating her own shows and has worked with various UK galleries, artists and arts event directors.
HAGB: THE PATRON
Prior to leaving London for Scotland, Phillips worked for Colonel Henry Brooke (HAGB). A close friendship endured until his death. Brooke housed an impressive collection of paintings and supported her work, unreservedly. The gallery is founded in his honour.
WHO WAS HAGB?
Colonel Henry Arthur Gunning Brooke was awarded an Immediate MC at the final Battle of Monte Cassino, for in the words of General Alexander, his "skill, resourcefulness and inspirational leadership". In mid-May '44, Brooke was in command of a troop of 16/5th Lancers in the Liri Valley where he rallied his badly shaken crew. For 3 days he led a successful offensive in fierce fighting after his commanding officer and squadron leader were killed. Col Brooke contracted malaria in North Africa in '43; was blown up 3 times in his Sherman tank but survived to assume command in '66 of 16/5 Queens Royal Lancers and served as an outstanding Colonel of the 16/5th Regiment from 1979 to 1985.
Chelsea-ite, erudite
Honourable and Champagne-tight
Inspiring and bolshy
Always right.
DEATH OR GLORY