I use very traditional techniques perhaps more akin to 18th century paintings, and source beautifully elaborate and highly decorative frames from English stately homes that are sometimes hundreds of years old. Using this traditional style of painting and method of display, coupled with such a contemporary subject matter of young characters from the London rock scene, I find this creates an interesting contradiction in my work.
Chris currently lives and works in
London, England.
Chris Guest was born in Bristol in 1979 and studied Illustration at Brunel College of Art and then at Degree level at Bournemouth & Poole College of Art and Design, graduating in 2000.
He began painting and drawing from a very young age, and first started making money from art aged just 14, drawing portraits of music icons for other pupils, when perhaps he should’ve spent more time studying. He then continued this successful business model when working as a part-time butcher’s assistant at the local supermarket.
At age 18, Chris began showing his work in galleries in Cornwall, and has since exhibited extensively throughout the UK, has work in many important collections, and has been chosen for many prestigious portrait exhibitions.
His highly anticipated first London solo show was held in May 2014 at the Circle gallery in London.
Original article and feature published in Tattoo’d Lifestyle Magazine Issue #15
