A bite out of the Big Apple
Paisley artist Sandy is ready for exhibition
A talented Paisley artist whose 30- year career spans the globe is busy preparing for one of the most important exhibitions of his life in one of the art capitals of the world.
Alexander Guy – who is one half of the talented artistic duo which founded Made in Paisley – is hard at work creating eight impressive pieces which are set to be shown in a gallery in New York later this year.
The 58-year-old is hoping to jet off to the Big Apple in November to the Harpers Gallery for the show which he says is one of the most important opportunities of his career.
Alexander, who is known locally as Sandy, is no stranger to artistic success having worked and taught in some of the most influential artistic cities in the world.
He has shown his oil paintings in Paris, Prague, Barcelona and Berlin and uses the many places he has travelled over the years as inspiration for his works.
“This exhibition is at a top level gallery in New York,” Sandy told the Express while taking a break from painting his latest piece in the living room of his home in Glasgow.
“It is probably one of the most important shows I will have done as it is a solo exhibition in a high quality gallery.
“I’m really putting everything into it.”
Fife- born Sandy started his life as an artist in Dundee in the 1980s, studying at the Duncan of Jordanstone College before heading to London to study at The Royal College of Art.
He spent 17 years living and working in the UK’s capital while splitting his time as a tutor at the Glasgow School of Art.
In 1990, he was invited to New York to work, where he spent three years working as an artist with his work also taking him to Memphis in Tennessee.
Over the years, he has taken inspiration from many things to create his larger than life works of art, and has completed series’ of paintings themed around celebrities, geographical landmarks, comics, cartoons and more serious themes such as media manipulation, censorship and child abuse.
Sandy also takes inspiration and painting styles from cultures and countries in which he has lived and exhibited his work over the years.
He added: “I have jumped about over the years. A lot of my work is inspired by geographical locations or from different cultures which I have experienced.
“I lived in London for 17 years and then in other places such as Maine, France, Germany and Spain.
“I tend not to be known as a Scottish artist as I seem to be more well known for my work in the other places I have worked throughout my career.”
It was after meeting his partner Caroline Gormley, 52, that Sandy eventually became well known in Paisley.
The pair dreamed of setting up an art space in the town and four years ago they came up with their plan to create Made in Paisley.
Having taught in some of the most prestigious art schools in the country, Sandy, along with Caroline, wanted to create a space for people to enjoy art in the heart of the town.
Since it began, Made in Paisley has become a much-loved and well-known fixture in the High Street where adults and young people can tap into their creative talents.
Sandy and Caroline have also added their artistic touch to murals in the town, including a colourful creation of a youngster in sunglasses giving a peace sign in Storie Street.
He added: “I’m really proud of Made in Paisley.
“I have taught in numerous schools all over throughout my career and I didn’t really like the politics of it all.
“I would much rather teach local people and children how to be creative and enjoy art.
“It has been going really well since we first started it up.
“We are not in it for the profits, we just want to give people a space where they could come and be creative as there are many people who come to us and say they used to be artistic when they were younger but have lost touch with it.”
Made in Paisley is also the home of Sandy and Caroline’s studio where they create their own art, which is something Sandy believes
is vital when teaching other people.
“I am a firm believer that people you are teaching should see your own creativity so that people can see you are also putting what you are teaching them into practice, the dad-of-three added.
Sandy is also keen to get back into the studio in Paisley to complete his exhibition pieces, but is having to remain at home due to covid restrictions in Glasgow.
He is currently on his fourth piece in the series of works, which he says are taking him around 20 days to complete.
And thankfully, he says the covid pandemic has not restricted his creativity at a time when he needs it most.
He said: “The last 15 months have been stop and start, which has been really difficult.
“Normally it would affect my creativity, but, thankfully, I’m still able to work as I think I know I have to have it all finished for this exhibition.
“I would much rather be working in Paisley than in my own house but, unfortunately, because Glasgow has remained in Level 3 I’m not able to do that.
“I’m hoping we will be able to go over to the exhibition.”
● See pages 12 and 13 for Made in Paisley picture special
It’s probably one of the most important shows I will have done. I’m really putting everything into it Sandy Guy