Saturday, April 2, 2011

With these hands....


I've had a busy Saturday afternoon making the most of a rare bit of free time. Before wandering down to watch the TJs play on the park I had a little look in the parish church where the Easter "Eggstravaganza" (geddit!) was taking place. There were lots and lots of things going on mainly with young children in mind but also some interesting bits of art by local artist Christine Highland and also some craft bits and pieces. But being a shallow minded, superficial kind of bloke I was naturally drawn to the small display by Tonbridge's very own sculpting celebrity, Guy Portelli. I think the idea was that his works were all of an Easter theme, so there were hands that could be interpreted as fish (with a bit of imagination,) silver egg boxey-looking objects with crowns fitted on top and, the centre piece a curvey, warped, cross inlaid with glass mosiac. Very impressive stuff actually in my opinion (not that I have any qualifications to say this other than knowing what I like to see. He's certainly got something and the Dragons of BBCs brilliant series Dragon's Den could also spot this as they invested around 90 grand 'of their children's inheritance' in his business. Small wonder then that some of Guy's works are selling for over £20,000 each. And they aren't even exclusive originals; he normally does them in small edition batches of about ten copies. If I had the money Guy I'd have bought the hands one there and then. Ah well at least I've got the photo to remember them by. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was trying to be creative myself and just wanted his hands in shot without him posing behind like he did. Good picture though none-the-less.... 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its a good job he was not the sculptor for the Brussels bronze the Manneken Pis, I hate to think ....

Anonymous said...

Sorry - Mr Portelli is really not that talented. There are more creative 18 years olds in the Art Department at K College. Not impressed at all with his work. Nice guy though.

Anonymous said...

Think he'd have a better motor too. Heard him shouting and praying to his current MPV just before he turns the ignition

Tonbridge blogger said...

He more than likely made the engine himself out of old twisted bits of metal he found laying around in his workshop!

Tonbridge blogger said...

More Creative 18 year olds in K college! Are you sure about that? How come he's respected the world over now and has a long track record in the business? Surely not all down to clever marketing....

Anonymous said...

I stand by my statement and I really do know. Yes he is established here simply because he has lived here most of his life. We all know and recognise him as the face on tv. He is really not famous as an artist at all, and certainly not world wide. He is a minor local celebrity who made his name on Dragons Den and be sure that venture wasn't a roaring success either. K College art department have amazing talent many who go on to do rather well in the world of art/film and fashion. Maybe you would like to let readers know where and when his work is on show at home and world wide. Maybe you won't be so sure yourself if you tried.

anon said...

I've been meaning to buy a milkshake from that sweetshop next to McDonalds for ages and I turned up today to buy one and it's bloody well closed. Did anybody else get to try them?

duncan_b said...

Getting back to Mr Portelli I think some unfair comments have been made about his art. I went to see his work during the Open Studio event a while back and was very impressed by all the squiggly things he makes. I like his beard too so just leave him alone!

anon said...

I agree

drew said...

Dear Oh Dear , do I detect a jealous little 18 year student??
Grow up and stop slagging off Mr Portelli just cos you still have a spotty face and insecurity issues.