Reif Myers

Artist Overview Artwork Gallery Events & Exhibitions Artist Video Biography

Reif Myers

Artist Overview Artwork Gallery Events & Exhibitions Artist Video Biography

Reif Myers is a contemporary artist celebrated for his vibrant abstract paintings, combining bright colours and bold composition with an irresistible light-heartedness and innate joie de vivre.

Born on the island of Maui to an artist mother and a surfer father, Reif spent his first two years in Hawaii before moving to Perth, Western Australia. Here he would spend time after school each day at his mum’s art studio, where, given the freedom to experiment and find his own style, Reif developed a passion for art from an early age.

Growing up in a house full of colourful paintings by his mother Jos Myers and other artists, and inspired by the works of MAMBO, Peter Webb, Jonas Wood and Jean-Michel Basquiat, he was influenced early on to develop his own take on a bright and dynamic abstract style. Describing seeing the work of Basquiat for the first time, Reif says “It wasn't until I saw his works that I realised that art didn't have to make sense. It gave me the inspiration to paint outside the lines.”

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Reif Myers Biography

Inspired by his passions for art, surfing and beach culture, and with an irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit, Reif launched his own business creating boardshorts featuring his own artwork at aged 15 (a business that he still runs to this day). He has since produced a line of hand-painted surfboards, worked with Rove Hotels at La Mer Beach in Dubai, where he now has seven large paintings on display, held solo exhibitions in Australia and Dubai, and created artworks that reside in collections all over the world.

Reif currently lives in Bali, Indonesia, where his beach life and artistic life happily intertwine. His artwork is heavily influenced by beach culture with his paintings often featuring recurring motifs including beach umbrellas, thongs (flip-flops!), seagulls, Greek vases and wine. Travel also plays a large part in inspiring his works, with recent trips to the South of France and Italy’s Positano providing a wealth of new ideas.

When creating a new work, Reif starts by writing a list of ideas inspired by his chosen theme. He never produces preparatory sketches, preferring a more freestyle approach. Using a sponge and colour he starts work on the canvas, “sometimes with my eyes closed. I go wild”, before refining the process by balancing colours and finding shapes to turn into items from his list. Working in acrylics he then builds the painting layer by layer.

Describing his paintings as ‘Where’s Wally for adults’ Reif is clear that, first and foremost, he wants his work to be enjoyed. Combining humour with an abundance of detail, he creates a sense of liveliness, a “busyness” designed to entice, engage and amuse the viewer.