Guy Reid is a British artist who was born in Johannesburg in 1963 and grew up in London and Shropshire. After having completed his BA in Politics and History at North London Polytechnic in 1984, Reid began training as a classical carver and restorer, going on to work for the world-renowned Spink Workshop (now Arlington Conservation), where he completed work for institutions as varied as the Metropolitan Museum New York, the Getty Museum California, Harewood House and the Sir John Soane Museum London. Go to web page About Guy to read more on Guy Reid and his sculptures.

MAKING ANDREW: An 8 minute film by Margot Donkervoort. Music by iBand View Film 
 
The Dutch film maker Margot Donkervoort has made a beautiful film about the work processes involved in producing a portrait of Andrew from start to finish.
(If you wish to purchase a copy of Making Andrew please contact Margot Donkervoort using the link above).

Guy Reid talks about his work and way of life, available as A Podcast
 

Guy Reid talks about his work, materials and influences, available as A Podcast

COMMISSIONS

Guy has recently been commissioned to do a portrait of the author Philip Pullman. He hopes to finish the work towards the end of 2010.

EXHIBITIONS

Coningsby Gallery London W1
17th-30th October 2010

DEVOTION

 ‘Devotion’ is a new exhibition of Guy Reid’s figurative sculptures and relief studies in lime wood.

‘The title of the show, Devotion, brings together a number of aspects of my recent work,’ explains Reid. ‘On one level, it is about devotion to the process of making the work. At another level, my partner Andrew is the subject of the majority of the pieces, and so many of the sculptures are about a life shared together. Some of the work also features portraits of friends, and documents another kind of relationship over time.’

The title also alludes to the theme of spiritual devotion focused on saints and religious figures. For example, Reid’s arrangement of the portraits echoes the way devotional images were placed in front of a triptych or series of painted panels. The juxtaposition of the central sculpture, surrounded by the relief studies, creates a sense of intriguing motion around a still figure. The show also includes a life size Christus Rex.

The originality of Reid’s work lies partly in the marriage of two elements, traditional sculpting techniques as found in European gothic and early Renaissance art, and working from photographs of his subjects. The result is works that perplex and go beyond more familiar three dimensional realism.

‘The work takes time and concentration to produce,’ continues Reid. ‘My workshop is located in a fairly remote part of southern France, and this gives me the space I need for the effort and attention required. It’s a way of life that could be described as even monastic.’

Anthony Lin Introduction
In his introduction to the show, the pre-eminent Asian art expert and Hong Kong based fine art dealer Anthony Lin writes about Reid's work. Read Introduction.

Mark Vernon Interview 
There will be a question and answer interview with Guy conducted at the gallery by journalist and author Mark Vernon at 6.00pm on Wednesday 20th.

The Courtauld Institute
The Courtauld will be hosting a gallery talk with the artist at the Coningsby on the 26th October 6.30 to 8.30. Talk begins 7.15.

Devotion shows at The Coningsby Gallery, Tottenham Street, W1, from 18^th October to 31^st October 2010, with a private view evening for collectors and press on the 18^th.

Coningsby Gallery London W1.  Exhibition prices will range from £1900 for smaller relief studies to £22,000 for the largest works.


Barthéte, Haute-Garonne, France 2009

Throughout the Summer 2009 Guy Reid  showed work at La Maison Patrimonial de Barthète Boussan in the Haute-Garonne. The museum hosts a vast ceramic collection and permanently exhibits works by international contemporary artists. Read more below in an interview given by museum director Claude Lege.