Guy Denning 'The Idea Of Her' Art Show At Pretty Portal

The following text by Guy Denning offers insight into the origin of these works. It is intended as a personal dedication and is reproduced here without alteration.

"This exhibition is dedicated to my partner, comrade, defender and lover of thirty two years who passed away just before Christmas. Colleen was the most beautiful, strongest, funniest woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I had been trying to convince her to let me make a formal portrait of her since we met, but not even liking the idea of being photographed she always laughingly refused. Last year I asked her again and finally she agreed, but it was conditional... The portrait must be about 'the idea' of her, and inspired by the artists she most admired. It was very specifically not to be a traditional 'likeness' portrait. She also liked my previous set of work based on the idea of 'imaginary' portraits and self-portraits. Where, like an autobiographer, we all construct the comforting fictions we would like others to believe of us. So she was giving me her ideas for this portrait over the last year before she died. The life stories of the strengths, the frailties, the heroes, the villains, the desires and the dreams. Much of the start of that work is here, shown with Pretty Portal. Colleen found me and rescued me; saved me from the world and frequently from myself too. She will always be my captain, compass and ship. I will forever miss her being alongside me on this mad journey.“ (Guy Denning)

"The Idea of Her" is an exhibition about the image held in the mind – about what remains when representation and certainty are no longer sufficient. It presents the beginning of a body of work that consciously positions itself between personal experience and artistic openness.

We are deeply honoured to present this exhibition and to share these works, acrylic and oil paintings on canvas, as well as charcoal and chalk drawings in this particularly personal and meaningful context.

On the 14th of March, 2026, I will open the exhibition “The Idea of Her” by Guy Denning at the gallery.
I would be delighted if you could join us at 7 pm for the opening and share this special evening with us.

I have been working with Guy Denning for over ten years, presenting his work in numerous group and thematic exhibitions and closely following the development of his artistic practice. "The Idea of Her" marks his first solo exhibition at Pretty Portal.
Guy will be travelling from France for the opening, and I am very happy that he will be with us in person.

Guy Denning, one of the key figures of the early urban art movement, lived and worked for many years in Bristol. There, he portrayed members of the local art and music scene in charcoal and chalk on newsprint, adding stencilled text and pasting the works in public space. From this practice, he developed a distinctive visual language that move

Kindest regards, Klaus

*show runs from March 14th to April 30th, 2026