Roy Reid
Encyclopedia
Roy Reid was a Jamaica
n painter
. He was best known for his paintings depicting the Jamaican people and dress and those with themes of devastation such as fires etc, which often have moral and spiritual meaning.
. He later moved to Kingston
to pursue a career.
Reid was regarded in his native country as one of the important figures among Jamaican ‘intuitive’ artists, generally those who are outsiders of the main schools of artistic activity and social circles on the island, especially as he was self-taught. Reid has made many notable exhibitions of his artwork, the Self Taught Artist Exhibition at the Institute of Jamaica in 1971, Eight Jamaican Primitives in Havana
, Cuba
in 1976; The Intuitive Eye at the National Gallery of Jamaica
in 1979, the Jamaican Intuitives in Wolverhampton
, England
and a Caribbean exhibition at the Un Noveau Regard sur Les Caribes at Courbevoie
, France
in 1992. As from the National Gallery, in Jamaica he has given various exhibitions at Makonde Gallery, Pegasus Hotel
in 1981, Bolivar Gallery in 1982 and the Mutual Life Gallery in 1987.
Reid also exhibited his artwork at the annual national exhibition of the National Gallery between December 2000 to February 2001, displaying his paintings The Unforgettable Defenceless Street People Removal and Everyone has a Cross to Bear.
Reid was also a credited author of art books and magazines, including Modern Jamaican Art, Art Today and the magazine Revue Noire.
In April 2005, Reid's art studio and several rooms of his house in Grass Quit Glades, Kingston were gutted by fire.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. He was best known for his paintings depicting the Jamaican people and dress and those with themes of devastation such as fires etc, which often have moral and spiritual meaning.
Biography
Born in Portland, Jamaica, Reid was born to farming parents but dropped out of school at the age of 11 because he couldn't read, only learning later at the age of 34 by reading the bibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. He later moved to Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
to pursue a career.
Reid was regarded in his native country as one of the important figures among Jamaican ‘intuitive’ artists, generally those who are outsiders of the main schools of artistic activity and social circles on the island, especially as he was self-taught. Reid has made many notable exhibitions of his artwork, the Self Taught Artist Exhibition at the Institute of Jamaica in 1971, Eight Jamaican Primitives in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in 1976; The Intuitive Eye at the National Gallery of Jamaica
National Gallery of Jamaica
The National Gallery of Jamaica, in Kingston, Jamaica, is Jamaica's premier art collection. It is located in the Kingston Mall, a commercial and cultural center on Kingston harbour....
in 1979, the Jamaican Intuitives in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and a Caribbean exhibition at the Un Noveau Regard sur Les Caribes at Courbevoie
Courbevoie
Courbevoie is a commune located very close to the centre of Paris, France. The centre of Courbevoie is situated 2 kilometres from the outer limits of Paris and 8.2 km...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1992. As from the National Gallery, in Jamaica he has given various exhibitions at Makonde Gallery, Pegasus Hotel
Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel is a hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, located at 81 Knutsford Boulevard in the financial and business district of the city. A noted landmark, the hotel is 17 stories high....
in 1981, Bolivar Gallery in 1982 and the Mutual Life Gallery in 1987.
Reid also exhibited his artwork at the annual national exhibition of the National Gallery between December 2000 to February 2001, displaying his paintings The Unforgettable Defenceless Street People Removal and Everyone has a Cross to Bear.
Reid was also a credited author of art books and magazines, including Modern Jamaican Art, Art Today and the magazine Revue Noire.
In April 2005, Reid's art studio and several rooms of his house in Grass Quit Glades, Kingston were gutted by fire.