Guy Allen x Kelling Designs
It has been a long time in the planning and making, but we are delighted to announce our exciting new collaboration with hugely talented artist, Guy Allen. We couldn’t have foreseen that its launch would coincide with the extraordinary climate that we are currently living in, but we hope that it will provide some joy and relief from an otherwise stressful time.
About the Collaboration
Great interior design needs great art, and whilst it does not need to be a perfect match, it’s always been a happy coincidence when the artwork sits perfectly into the interior. With this in mind, it gives me great joy to introduce our latest collaboration with the highly talented artist, Guy Allen.
I am sure now that I have one of the largest collections of Guy’s artworks and it has always been my ambition to get him to embrace the more colourful and joyful side of life through his work. Supporting and nurturing young talent is something that is so important to us at Kelling Designs, which is why we leapt at the opportunity to offer Guy a sponsorship package, which has enabled him to develop colour into his print making.
Over the last decade, I have watched him emerge as a highly talented and aspirational artist. It all started with a picture of a Norfolk terrier watching a bee, and since then, Guy has continued to harness his talent and evolve his collections, going from strength to strength. Our aim for this collaboration is to add something new and fresh to his already extensive portfolio, and I think he has taken as much away from the process as we have enjoyed being involved.
We shouldn’t have been surprised at how easily Guy’s new work sat with our latest collection, and hopefully you can see just how easy it would be to have any of these exclusive pieces in your own home, bringing with them light, joy and endless pleasure.
I hope you all agree that this is an exciting and dynamic chapter in Guy’s work and that everyone should own a Guy Allen piece. - Emma Deterding
About Guy
Guy Allen is a printmaker, draftsman and highly talented young British artist. With his experimental approach to printmaking, Guy presents an exciting mix of colour, gold-leaf and an original, contemporary take on the traditional art of etchings.
Studying at Central St Martins from 2008 to 2011 Guy discovered the printing press on a trip to the Ecole National Superieure Des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Having found an art form that lent itself so perfectly to his artists aspirations, he has never looked back.
On graduating Guy immediately went to work as an apprentice for the Curwen Studios in Cambridgeshire before moving up to London where he settled into the Artichoke Print Studios in Brixton.
Guy’s inspiration and drive to create is fuelled ever further by his love of the printing press. With distinctive style, striking ability and total commitment Guy has mastered his printing-making techniques. Constantly exploring the in nite possibilities and opportunities the medium o ers, he breates new life into traditional techniques and subject matter.
Radiating a sense of balance and calm, it is this combination between the traditional and the contemporary, the static and the uid, the considered and the coincidental that creates such harmony in Guy’s work. It is through his ability as an artist and skill as an printmaker that he achieves this so beautifully.
Growing up in Norfolk, the countryside and his love of animals have had a lasting impact on Guy’s work. His animal subjects are drawn directly from the Norfolk countryside and are all native species to the land he has known since childhood. Having always looked to his Norfolk roots to gather his thoughts and inspiration, Guy recently returned home to set up his studio back on the north Norfolk coast where he is now based full- time.
Over the last 10 years Guy has been accepted by the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and shown internationally in London, Dubai and New York. His work is housed in private collection throughout the UK, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong and he has been featured in House & Garden and Country Life. Guy also has a great philanthropic interest and supports many arts charities each year including Art For Youth, EACH, Keeping A Breast, Art For Cure and Well Child.
About The Etching Process
The etching process dates from the 16th century, and no photographic aids are used. The artist draws through a resin resist (which is impervious to acid) on to a copper zinc plate with an etching needle. The plate is then immersed in acid so that it is etched along the needle lines. This etched linear drawing provides the foundation for all plates. The plates are then inked up and hand printed on to acid-free paper through an old intaglio printing press.