Residency Reflections: Harold Reed
Can you describe your first impression of Le Moulin de Marnay and the surrounding environment?
Being in Le Moulin de Marnay was like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film. The garden seems endless, filled with a wonderful light, and walking the dog through the nearby poplar glades gave me a sense of the place’s history as a paper mill. Marnay really does carry its own quiet magic, also really good croissants from the local bakery, or pâtisserie even.
How did the residency impact your creative process or shift your perspective as an artist?
Sharing the residency with Benito and Polly shaped my time there. Benito showed me how to be more flexible with materials and to go at each piece with less caution. From Polly I learned a lot about colour and their origins, really opening my mind and making me appreciate each colour with so much more value. I am very grateful to have spent the weeks in the Loire with both of them.
Was there a particular moment during the residency that stands out as transformative or unexpected?
Visiting Max Ernsts estate and meeting Dominique was wonderful. Dominique was a curator who now looks after Max Ernsts old home, and does a great job of it. The garden is beautiful and his book collection is phenomenal.
What did the time away from your regular environment teach you about your needs as an artist?
Interestingly I learnt how important solitude is for my work. I found having people see the progression of my work pressuring at times, which is why I took myself to the sunflower fields to do some plein air.
Is there anything you left behind — literally or metaphorically — when the residency ended?
I left caution behind. Since getting back to London I’ve hit the ground running, carrying energy from the residency straight into my London studio.
Anything else you would like to share?
I want to say a massive thank you to General Assembly for trusting me so early on in my journey. This residency has been a big part of my growth as an artist, and I strongly recommend it to anyone considering.