Curator Conversation with Lena Vigna

August 20, 2015

In the Studio with Bill Reid

In January, Racine Art Museum’s Curator of Exhibitions, Lena Vigna, interviewed RAM Artist Fellowship Recipient Bill Reid.

Lena Vigna: Please share the basics of your art career thus far: education, years working, etc. How long have you been a part of the Racine/Kenosha community?

Bill Reid: My family moved to Racine in the summer of 1968 just in time for the bogus revolution. I went to art school in the mid-to-late 70s at Kansas City Art Institute and the Cranbrook Academy of Art where I received my BFA and MFA in Sculpture. I have been a part of this community for something approaching a geological span of time.

Vigna: Would you please describe your work—what materials you use, what subject matters you explore?

Reid: In general, I make sculpture using steel sheet metal and rods with a few hand tools and an oxyacetylene torch. The pieces are painted using a primer, and then, latex enamel paint. There is an affinity with words and the goofiness of the English language. Pi pie pirates, pileated pianos, etc….

Read more here.