Artist Statement

Hello from Bristol, UK, where I try to make sense of things by painting and drawing.

The building blocks of landscape, portrait, figure, and still life are my constant teachers. The world at large, artistic community, and art canon inspire me to make larger narrative work addressing contemporary issues.

Through private commissions, museum collections, public speaking and mindful engagement with disability charities, I foster a vibrant network beyond the traditional art scene. My figure work addresses social conditioning (TEDx talk "Body Image Through The Eyes Of An Artist"). My narrative painting The Raft Of The Medusa was shortlisted for the 2025 Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize. I was a semi-finalist on Sky Arts Portrait Artist Of The Year 2023. find me online here.

I hope this exhibition brings you a moment to stop and marvel at the ecosystem that functions around a healthy dungpat. Free from avermectins and pesticides, the Knepp landscape and cattle provide fertile ground for keystone species (dung beetles), and a rich assortment of creatures. These have evolved to work together to naturally manage harmful parasites, and to precipitate the absorption of dung back into the soil.

The large Dungscape paintings, while imagined, are based on intensive study and consultation. The concertina sketchbook is a presentation of the different resources available as background study. It aims to highlight the value of referencing natural science collections to inform artwork with a thorough understanding of the subject.

This project would not have been possible without the involvement of Knepp, the entomologists, curators, and institutions that have given me advice on which species would be on a dungpat, where, and doing what. They have been extremely generous with time and access to reference material <insert more here>.

- Gail Reid

Curatorial Statement

<I would invite someone at Knepp to write this. Here is an example from a previous solo show:>

The pictures in this exhibition - paintings, studies and sketches on a wide variety of subjects - together form a portrait of an artist operating with hard-won confidence, great ability and a sure sense of purpose.  

As this impressive collection of work shows, Gail Reid has developed formidable technical skills through the patient observation and analysis of her subjects, and constant practice and consideration of her chosen media.

More importantly, however, the personality of the artist shines through each piece, making it more than just an accurate record of what she has seen. While showing complete respect for her subject matter, Gail’s work is also imbued with many of her own personal qualities: limitless curiosity, great determination, a generous and optimistic spirit, and readiness to take on a challenge.

Gail’s engagement with wider issues adds another dimension to her art. Whether celebrating the achievements of women, or challenging the norms of physical appearance, her concerns are expressed naturally and eloquently through the way she works.

Altogether, this show offers a wealth of visual delights and surprises, as Gail shows us the beauty to be found in sometimes unexpected places and subjects. Her naturalistic style captures moments and moods in a lively, accessible manner underpinned by a thorough artistic understanding and a natural empathy.

One of the joys of a good exhibition is finding your own feelings, insights and experiences illuminated and brought to life in an artwork; I am certain you will find many such moments in this great selection of the art of Gail Reid.

- Jack Hicks (artist and art educator)