Studio

Photos by PCA

Bert moved to his studio in Stepney Green in early 1971. It was an old Jewish Primary school that was going to be pulled down and the site re-built on. SPACE, the studio letting organisation set up by Bridget Riley and Peter Sedgley and with whom Bert was very involved at the outset, found the building and took it under their wing, meaning it was rescued from this fate and secured as artists studios to rent. Initially, thirty-five artists shared the site including Basil Beattie, Michael Kenny, Bridget Riley, Jon Thompson, Alison Wilding & Victor Willing. Basil and Bert shared the space that then became all Bert’s - two adjoining classrooms in the girl’s part of the building. This fact always continued to amuse Bert as he entered each day through the door marked GIRLS.

The impact this move had on his work, thereafter, was massive. He loved the journey on public transport from the house in Wandsworth Common which took an hour. It was the perfect opportunity to observe life and also read copiously, another passion of his. Most importantly, he was able to upscale the size of his paintings and he immediately went on to produce a series of large paintings measuring 243 cms x 426 cms including Quest, 1971, Voyage 1971 and Travelling Alone, 1971. He continued to paint large scale works, the largest being Nicolson in 1989 at 305 x 610 cms.

By 1985 many artists had moved on and the 6 remaining artists in the building had the opportunity to form a company and buy the Building, thereby protecting it forever.

The working part of the studio seen in this image has been kept, pretty much as it was, whilst the next door room is used for storage and work on the Estate.