The house of rayne exhibits paintings, sculptures and creative handmade clocks

Colin David Rayne L.B.H.I

(Licentiate of the British Horological Institute)

Colin Rayne L.B.H.I Click here for Recent Commissions

The House of Rayne, established in 2000 and named after it's founder, artist Colin Rayne (pictured right), is located very close to the beautiful South Downs of East Sussex (6 miles east of Brighton, 1 hour by train from London Victoria)

Gallery Open By Appointment Ongoing retrospective exhibition includes
approximately 60 photographs taken on the Greek island of Crete. The spectacular Samaria Gorge with its amazing variety of scenery and wild life contrasts with urban life in the narrow winding streets of Harbour town of Chania. The Harbour is captivated in the true cosmopolitan glory and glamour, too.

(above) Guests Judith Symes (right) and Nina Neale
(left) enjoying the 2005 Mid-Summer Exhibition Party.

The House of Rayne holds a permanent Retrospective Exhibition of approximately 80 original pieces created by founder Colin Rayne including Clocks, Sculpture and Paintings. These can be viewed privately by appointment - please call 01273-302826.

Studio workshops are adjacent to the property where new work is always in progress. The exhibition is changing constantly as some pieces are sold and replaced by new ones. Skylights and colour corrected lighting supplements the daylight, as it changes.

Commissions are welcome and it is in the clients interest to either visit the exhibition and see what is possible or view a past commission in situ. Many are in the Brighton area. A deposit of one third of the agreed price is required in advance and where visits from the designer are needed, travel expenses will be charged.

A mock up or drawing of the design can be made, assisted by discussion. To make an appointment to visit the gallery or for further information on any of his work, please call: 01273-302826.

Current work in progress includes new sculptures for another gallery.

Biography

Born in 1942 only son of Norman Rayne, manufacturer of Electro Dental Surgery Equipment, Colin Rayne has pursued creative activity throughout his life; beginning at public school where, for a period, he copied an “old master” each week.

Pictured right: Animation showing the versatility of Colin's work - Butterfly on Leaf Clock, Eve Sculpture and Cuckmere Haven painting.

He recalls standing on a soapbox aged 5 and operating a Capstan Lathe in the machine shop of Norman Rayne Ltd. However, art had also taken hold by 1959 when he entered the family business. Colin trained in basic Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Design Drawing.

From the 1970’s he became completely independent and, successfully combining art and science, gave exhibitions of work embodying painting, sculpting and creative horology.

Exhibitions at Selfridges and Harrods resulted in good sales and commissions.

In 1983 Colin moved to the Brighton area and exhibited in the Brighton Festival in 1994.

Colin has demonstrated an unusually high degree of versatility between three distinct disciplines, which has ensured a continuing interest in his work.

To make an appointment to visit the gallery or for further information on any of his work, please call: 01273-302826

Career Highlights

Colin Rayne's remarkable versatility has resulted in the gain of some notable commissions:

Early on in the mid 1960’s when Harold Wilson was premiere, London's Post Office Tower was erected close to Norman Rayne Ltd where Colin was studying design drawing.

Colin created an Illuminated Scale Model (1":30') of the building with rotating restaurant for the advertising department of P.O. Telecommunications (pictured right) . The resulting publicity, which included a live six minute interview on BBC TV, greatly encouraged him to work independently.

Perrier Clock Colin was elected a Member of The British Horological Institute in 1983 and was invited to display two pieces of work in London's Goldsmiths Hall in 1987.

Fabergé Cosmetics commissioned clocks for their London and New York Offices around this time and also an Arab Sheikh commissioned a “clock table for his London home.

Colin visited Aqualac in 1988 which resulted in Perrier Bottle Clocks for their London and Vergezes offices (pictured left).

Images of some of Colin's clocks can be viewed on the clocks page. Click here to see them. To make an appointment to visit the gallery or for further information on any of his work, please call 01273-302826.