Ray Harris-Ching has been called elusive and mysterious, his North American representative has said of him 'There's Ray Harris-Ching, and then there's the rest!'. He was born in New-Zealand, the name Ching originating from Cornwall in Britain. It was clear at a very early age that Harris-Ching posseded a highly creative mind, this quality made him an outsider and a truent at school. He started to work for a newspaper at the age of 12. However his creative abilities helped him become an art director within a few years of joining. By the age of 18 the Artist was the highest paid advertising artist in the whole of New-Zealand. At the same time Harris-Ching had developed an interest in birds which quickly grew into an obssesion. At the age of 26 the Artist held his first exhibition of bird portraits. The exhibition was an instant success, attracting Sir William Collins who was on one of his around the World trips to seek out artists and subjects for the Collins natural history section. From this meeting the artist was introduced to the Tryon Gallery and to Sir Peter Scott, who said of his work 'The painting of feathers is among the very best I have ever seen.' Harris-Ching left for London on Christmas day 1966. It was just after he arrived that Harris-Ching was selected to undertake a major project for Collins. He had been selected above almost all the wildlife artist in Britain to paint 230 full colour plates for the Readers Digest Book of British Birds. It had been worked out that the project would take six years, Harris-Ching took one year to complete the project. The book has sold over 12 million copies and has never been out of print. It perhaps from this time that Harris-Ching was first recognised as one of the few masters of comtemporary wildlife art. He calls himself "An artist plagued by the possibilities of mediocrity." He is ruthlessly self-critical, especially of his abilities as a painter. It is not surprising that Harris-Ching is now recognised by many International wildlife artists as the greatest living artist of this subject matter.
Ray Harris-Ching (b.1939), British
Details
Ray Harris-Ching (b.1939), British
Diana Monkey
signed and dated 'Ray Harris-Ching/1990'; oil on board
12¾ x 10 in. (32 x 25.5 cm.)
Diana Monkey
signed and dated 'Ray Harris-Ching/1990'; oil on board
12¾ x 10 in. (32 x 25.5 cm.)