On this episode of Cosimo Art Studio Tours, we head to Bethnal Green to visit artist Phillip Reeves (@phillipreeves_). Reeves holds a BA in Fine Art Printmaking and Painting from London Metropolitan University. He also holds an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths. 

In this interview, we speak in-depth about his ‘Paper Clothes’ series. The series combines the art of clothing with the art of clothing-making. Inspired by the concept of uniforms, Reeves creates ‘paper clothes’ via oil painting and dress-maker’s paper. His works draw on Colour Field Theory and the Colour Field Movement. When creating his ‘paper clothes’ designs, Reeves draws inspiration from artists such as Joseph Albers and Agnes Martin for their uses of colour, line and form. He also shares some amazing, (juicy even) behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the art world, auction houses and his life as a painter in our podcast interview. 

Reeves has participated in residencies, solo and group exhibitions in London and New York (he was also an Artist in Residence at the Embassy of Foreign Artists in Geneva). Most recently, he took part in a group residency show at 13 Soho Square for The Earth Vision Charity Exhibition. He has been nominated for The Jealous Gallery Art Prize, shortlisted for The Dentons Art Prize in 2017 (Curated by Niamh White) and received the Husk Studio Residency Aware in 2018-2019.