Foreword

Guy Hammond is one of Zimbabwe's leading Professional Fine Artists, specializing in Wildlife, Landscapes and other special interest pieces such as war memorabilia and golf courses.  At home on the shores of Lake Kariba in the Zambezi Valley, Guy's paintings have an undeniable authenticity to them, a derivative of living amongst the subject matter from which he paints. Guy works from what he has seen in Africa and throughout the World, giving his paintings an element of truth and capturing a single moment in time forever.

About Guy

Guy Hammond was born on 30 October 1968 in Gweru, Zimbabwe.  Guy spent much of his time in the wild and it was this outdoor upbringing that developed his passion, love and understanding for the bush and its wildlife.  As the Son of an Army Officer and Lieutenant Colonel, Guy and his family moved around the countryside for 22 years during his father's army service finally settling in Harare on his Father's retirement.  Guy began his High School career in 1981 at Churchill High school in Harare, where he became an accomplished Bagpiper with the School's renowned Pipe Band.  During his second year of High School, Guy moved from Churchill to Peterhouse Boy's School in Marondera where he was to spend the rest of his school career; becoming Head of House and a School Prefect in 1986.  Guy completed his Cambridge A Level Studies at Peterhouse, and was always a keen Art student, attaining a top grade in his 6th Form Year.  Guy later joined the British Army before moving on to University in South Africa. On returning to his homeland from the University of Pietermartizburg, Guy decided to pursue a career in Tobacco Farming andsubsequently attended and graduated from Agricultural College, thereafter working as a Farm Manager for 5 years.  In 1995 Guy purchased a 500 hectare tobacco farm where he stayed until the farm was acquired during Zimbabwe's controversial Land Reform Program in 2002. 

During this turbulent time after leaving the farm Guy retreated to the Zambezi Valley.  Although farming had been his livelihood, Guy had always maintained his passion for painting.  Whilst painting on the banks on the Zambezi River a chance encounter with renowned Wildlife Artist Craig Bone, convinced Guy to follow his dream of becoming an Artist.  Subsequently Guy apprenticed under Craig Bone for one year, and was also very fortunate to spend considerable time studying in Kenya in 2004 with the late Simon Combes, who was known in the art world as "The King of Cats".  Simon was tragically killed by a buffalo on his ranch in 2005.

In 2003 Guy based himself in Harare and painted out of his home while becoming involved in various community projects including Art Lessons for the Old Age Pensioners. Guy established "Wild Brushes", a company for aspiring local artists and was responsible for coordinating local Art Exhibitions under the umbrella of "Wild Brushes".  Guy decided to dedicate more of his time to his own art career and in 2004 began concentrating primarily on his own work and began exhibiting more internationally at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada, as well as Dubai and South Africa.  Guy continued exhibit and tutor locally and it was during one of his lessons in Kariba during 2005 that he met his future wife who had been a resident of Kariba for 3 years.  Guy relocated from Harare to Kariba and married Kiara (nee Cordy) in November 2006.  Guy now lives on the lake shore with his wife and their young family and continues to paint in surroundings befitting a Wildlife Artist, whilst coordinating various Conservation Projects and Art Safaris with in and around the Zambezi Valley.