Notice: Renowned Art Forger’s Work To Be Exhibited In Guildford

Published on: 15 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 15 Aug, 2017

Work by a best-selling painter who was involved in the biggest art fraud of the 20th century will be exhibited in a Guildford gallery from this weekend.

John Myatt’s latest collection, Vincent, will be on display at Castle Fine Art at 180 High Street from Saturday, August 19 until Saturday, September 2.

Drinks will be on offer for visitors to the gallery on the first day of the exhibition between 1pm and 4pm to celebrate the arrival of the collection, which takes inspiration from the great Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh.

A former art teacher, John Myatt went to Brixton prison for being involved in “one of the most sophisticated art fraud schemes to date”, which saw him reproduce as many as 200 works by 20th century painters, until the scheme was uncovered. Now painting on the right side of the law, Myatt’s ‘Genuine Fakes’ are collected by fans across the globe.

Renowned art forger John Myatt.

John Myatt said: “I can still remember coming across van Gogh in art history lectures at art college in the 1960s. In those days, he was thought of as a ‘noble savage’ who used paint straight out of the tube. But his work paved the way for Fauvism and Expressionism and so on, and was therefore of great historical significance.

“Although I frequently use modern paints and canvases, the hope is that the finished painting will deceive the eye into thinking that it is seeing a new work by an established master.”

Iwona Oldrey, gallery manager for Castle Fine Art, Guildford – Washington Green Fine Art’s nationwide network of high street galleries – said: “We are so excited to have John’s latest collection in the gallery. He is one of Washington Green’s most intriguing and talented artists, and has captured the amazing works of Vincent van Gogh with his use of bold colours and careful techniques.’’

Prices of John Myatt’s work in the Vincent exhibition will start at £1,250. For more information about the John Myatt Collection, visit www.castlegalleries.com/artists/john-myatt#collection.