Guy Reid -
Devotion
October 18 - 30 2010
Private View
October 18
The Coningsby Gallery
Tottenham Street W1T
4RJ
T. 020 7636 1064
E. helendriver@coningsbygallery.com
‘Devotion’ is the new exhibition of artist 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.’
Guy Reid is a British artist, born in
Johannesburg in 1963. His childhood was spent in
L
ondon and Shropshire. He studied politics and history, and later completed an MA
in theology at King’s College, London. He trained as a classical carver
and restorer, working in the renowned Spink workshop. His work is held in
private and public collections internationally.
For further information
about the artist, contact artist agent and exhibition organizer, Jenny Hewitt on
+00 44 (0) 7789 051144/ +00 44 (0) 7779 632875 and see www.guyreid.com.