GUY PORTELLI RBA, ARBS - Born . South Africa 13th June 1957
Studied Interior Design and 3D Design at Medway College of Art 1974-78
I worked as a sculptor in the special effects dept for the BBC TV before setting up own studio in 1981, producing sculptures for the advertising market.
My first opportunity in the world of fine art sculpture was being commissioned to sculpt 13, 9ft classical sculptures for The London Pavilion, in Piccadilly Circus, London.
Having gained a reputation for Classical sculpture, I wanted to promote the more creative aspects of my work, and set about exhibiting my abstract sculptures in galleries, sculpture parks, Manchester Art House, Sausmarez Manor in Guernsey, and a major London show with Andrew Logan. Many large commissions followed:
- Life-size Masai Warrior for the Commonwealth Institute - 1983
- Greek Goddesses for London Pavilion – Piccadilly Circus, London - 1987
- Fountain at Opera Terrace, Covent Garden, London - 1987
- Sculptures for Townswoman’s Guild Chelsea Flower Show, London - 1990
- 5 metre sculpture in stone of Sir Rowland Hill, Shrewsbury - 1991
- Eagle Gates, Guernsey - 1997
- Sculptures for the Trafford Centre, Manchester - 1998
- Sainsbury’s Lavender Plant, 6 mts, Bronze & Mosaic, London - 1999
- Palio Horses for Sienna Building, Hatton Garden, London - 1999
- Design for Pantene Award - 2000
- Group Captain Townsend Sculpture for West Malling Airfield - 2002
- Acrobats for Tadworth Court Hospital - 2002
- Ringo Starr’s Peace & Love Sculpture - 2002
- Reaching Out Sculpture for West Middlesex Hospital, London - 2003
- Dreamcatcher for Hillview School, Tonbridge - 2005
- Orchid Sculpture & Paintings, Patisserie Valerie, Spitalfields, London - 2005
Elected as a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1998 and voted on to the council in 2000. Activly involved with the promotion of sculpture organising many group exhibitions.
Qualifications and Awards:
- Diploma in Interior Design
- Diploma 3-D Sculpture & Design
- Elected as member Royal Society of British Sculptors - 1998
- Elected as Council member for The Royal Society of British Sculptors – 2000
- Elected as a member of the Royal Society of British Artists – 2002
- Elisabeth Frink School Award – 2002
- Scott Goodman Harris Award – 2003
- Elected as a Council member for The Royal Society of British Artists – 2003
- UBS Sculpture Award - 2005
In 2005 I authored ‘Modern British Sculpture’ a comprehensive study of modern sculpture developments in Great Britain.