Bill Reid by Maria Tippett

Author:Maria Tippett [Tippett, Maria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-36601-6
Publisher: Random House of Canada
Published: 2003-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

Sherry Grauer in Montreal, 1970

Reid envied Grauer’s freedom of expression because, as he told her, “the sort of thing he did required more planning.” Her imaginative use of a wide variety of materials, along with her involvement in the hands-on process of making art, loosened up Reid’s approach to his own work and thereby expanded his artistic vision.21 Not long after they met, Bill and Sherry became lovers.

Before Reid moved into Grauer’s spacious second-floor apartment on Park Avenue, they took a trip to New York. Reid was anxious to show Tak Tanabe, who was now living there, and his patrons Adelaide de Menil and Edmund Carpenter what he had produced in London. It was supposed to be a short trip: a reunion with old friends, a chance to show off his new woman, and maybe even an opportunity to pick up a jewellery commission. But it turned into a nightmare.

Reid and Grauer arrived at the American border in Utica, New York, at 6:30 P.M. on September 10, 1969. The customs official asked them if they had anything to declare. The answer was no. Seeing a piece of Reid’s gold jewellery on the dashboard — a gold bracelet-watch that he had made at the Central in London — the customs official’s eyes, according to Grauer, “nearly popped out.” He then asked the couple if he could inspect their luggage. His search revealed another piece of jewellery: it was the remarkable gold and diamond necklace that Reid had made in London. Reid was flattered by the customs official’s interest in his work. Thinking he would like to see more, Reid naively said, “I have some more jewellery.” He then produced a pair of gold cufflinks and a few other pieces of jewellery that he had stored in his shaving kit. Convinced that Reid was embarking on more than a pleasure weekend to New York, the official ushered him into the customs office. Reid was asked to empty his pockets. This disclosed a gold bracelet. (It was in Reid’s pocket because he was self-conscious about wearing it with a short-sleeved shirt.) Further inspection of Reid’s car revealed an attaché case. It contained even more jewellery. There was the gold finial he had made at the Central and a small silver Haida bracelet that belonged to the New York collector George Terasaki. Expecting to find even more jewellery, the customs officials told Reid to strip and searched his clothing. No other pieces of jewellery were found.

Reid had initially told the customs officials that all the items were his. Further interrogation, however, brought out the truth. He did not own the old silver Haida bracelet but was returning the repaired work to George Terasaki. This, along with a cheque for $1,000 from Adelaide de Menil, aroused further suspicion. More customs officials arrived on the scene and more questions were asked. “Why did you not declare the jewellery before entering the United States?” “Do you intend to sell the jewellery in New York?” “Why did you

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