Roy Holt (1942–2007) was a British
contemporary artist specialising in painting.
Born in Surrey and studied at the
Royal Academy Schools and later at Goldsmiths College. His work has been exhibited widely in museums and galleries in the UK, Europe, the US and China; has been shown twice at the
John Moores and three times at the
Young Contemporaries
New Contemporaries is an organisation in the United Kingdom, UK that works to support emerging artists at the beginning of their careers by introducing them to the visual arts sector and to the public through a variety of platforms, including an an ...
(now called New Contemporaries).
As well as working in his London Studio he was also a Principal Lecturer and Reader in Contemporary Fine Art Practice at
Liverpool College of Art where he taught for four decades. He was a visiting lecturer at the Royal Academy Schools, the Royal College and on the Fine Art MA at Goldsmiths School of Art.
Holt's formal specialism was colour and he was a passionate disciple of
Josef Albers. His broader interest which informed his artwork and teaching, was based on the notion of 'Art as Folly'. His art works are mainly wall–based installations often reflecting
DIY culture
"Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and semi ...
which he saw as a rich source reflecting some of the latent desires and hopes in society.
He considered art objects as 'Objects of Speculation' in which he saw the role of the viewer as pivotal, challenging our rationalism (and insecurities) thus allowing us to speculate on a more wonderful universe.
In addition to his art practice he also wrote many critical texts, including 'Verbs Posing as Nouns' in '
Sigmar Polke: Back to Postmodernity' published by
Tate Liverpool and
Liverpool University Press.
He was also an original member of the Liverpool Art School band, Deaf School
official Deaf School site
/ref> in the mid 1970s, playing his much loved instrument the banjo.
See also
* British art
References
External links
Artist's official website: www.royholt.co.uk
exhibition at the Liver Buildings
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holt, Roy
20th-century English painters
English male painters
21st-century English painters
1942 births
2007 deaths
Academics of Liverpool College of Art
20th-century English male artists
21st-century English male artists