Thursday, 27 February – 15:30 | Cynthia Corbett Gallery (West Wing, W19)
Matt Smith, artist and historian, will discuss his project The Sad and Melancholy Tale of Gustavus Guydickens 1730-1802, which is debuting at Collect, after the exhibition in 2024 at Kensington Palace.
Shame: 'The Sad and Melancholy Tale of Gustavus Guydickens, 1730-1802'
By Matt Smith, 2023
Renowned for his site-specific installations and explorations of institutional critique, multi award-winning artist Matt Smith employs clay and textiles to challenge historical narratives and reimagine museum spaces. The artist's new body of work 'The Sad and Melancholy Tale of Gustavus Guydickens 1730-1802' is being showcased as part of 'Untold Lives' at Kensington Palace until 27 October 2024.
The exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into the less-famous royal lives, shedding light on the individuals who worked tirelessly "below stairs" to keep the palace running smoothly. Smith's contribution to the exhibition includes a moving sequence of plates to tell the story of Gustavus Guydickens, a Gentleman Usher at Queen Charlotte’s court who was disgraced after he was accused of homosexuality.
'I created this series of 12 meat platters to chart the life of General Gustavus Guydickens.
Guydickens was a Gentleman Usher in the court of Queen Charlotte from 1783. He was accused of having sex with a younger man in Hyde Park near Kensington Palace and his life fell apart. The case never cam to trial, but Guydickens ended up in debtors' prison where he died.
I was interested in how one moment - which may or may not have happened - could be seen as so shameful that it turned a life upside down. I chose the surrounding quotes to show how shame impacts on lives - and particularly LGBTQ+ lives today.'
- Matt Smith, artist
Historic Royal Palaces commission.