PREVIEW Version
PASSION, VISION & SPIRIT (II) 18TH MAY TO 15TH JUNE 2019 This catalogue excerpt was produced to coincide with the second solo show of Norman Gilbert with Tatha Gallery A full printed catalogue can be purchased through the gallery Find out more at tathagallery.com
NORMAN GILBERT I believe the most eloquent contribution I can make to explaining and promoting my work is doing the paintings. In recent years, what I have felt I needed is an agent to champion my work; a role which Tatha has, de facto, successfully fulfilled for the last two years. In a particularly pleasant and professional way and with astute perception Helen and Lindsay have chosen many previously unseen works from my 70 year career to be introduced to fresh audiences. I am delighted to be part of Tatha Gallery’s growing reputation as a prominent platform for Scottish art.
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TATHA GALLERY Foreword When we first set eyes on Norman’s paintings, they sparked something in us that can simply be described as excitement. After visiting Norman in his bright Glasgow Georgian studio we realised that these paintings are indeed very special. They are paintings that never stop giving. Oil paintings on a gesso ground with vibrant and decorative use of colour and pattern enlighten the senses. He has observed, shaped and described with the utmost patience and dedication his world in close proximity. His paintings give generous and delightful insights into intimate family life normally unseen by an outsider. One feels like an observer, looking upon an endearing scene, yet with the exceptional power to make you feel welcome. There is a captivating synthesis between figure and space, a union perhaps and the more we look the richer they become. They are calming, vital and full of integrity. Working with Norman has been a genuine pleasure and we are delighted to be hosting his second solo show. Norman’s work is to be shared and enjoyed. We believe that art has the ability to change lives and these beautiful paintings are a perfect example of this. Helen Glassford & Lindsay Bennett
SELECTED PAINTINGS 1966—2018
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Cat. 10 BALLAD(E) oil on board, 76 x 122 cm 1970
Cat. 11 THREE GIRLS & TISSUE PAPER FISH oil on board, 122 x 81 cm 1970
Cat. 12 EMBRACE (II) oil on board, 122 x 81 cm 1971
Cat. 13 PEOPLE AND BLACK & WHITE PATTERNS oil on board, 86 x 122 cm 1972
Cat. 14 BLUE & WHITE FIGURES oil on board, 122 x 81 cm 1973
Cat. 16 HOLIDAY CARAVAN oil on board, 81 x 122 cm 1975
Cat. 17 CHILDREN BESIDE AN OLD CAR oil on board, 86 x 122 cm 1975
Cat. 18 THE RED VAN oil on board, 86 x 122 cm 1977
Cat. 23 PAT, DANIEL & MARK WITH ROCKING CHAIR oil on board, 122 x 76 cm 1981
Cat. 26 BLOSSOM (TREE) B&W Indian ink on board, 122 x 86 cm 2009
Cat. 27 TREES & CAST IRON RAILINGS B&W Indian ink on board, 122 x 86 cm 2009
Cat. 28 TUBS, TREES & TENAMENTS B&W Indian ink on board, 122 x 86 cm 2010 Cat. 29 TUBS, TREES & TENAMENTS oil on board, 122 x 86 cm 2010
Cat. 30 THE ROWAN TREE B&W Indian ink on board, 122 x 76 cm 2011
Tatha Gallery: 1 High Street, Newport-on-Tay | www.tathagallery.com helen@tathagallery.com & lindsay@tathagallery.com | 01382 690800 No part of this catalogue may be reproduced without permission All artworks copyright Norman Gilbert
Published by Tatha Gallery, designed by CREATE CREATE (davidcass.art/createcreate) ISBN 78-1-9161029-0-3
Image above: Patricia Ramaer, 2018 During Passion, Vision & Spirit (1) in Tatha Gallery
Norman was born to Scottish parents in Trinidad in 1926.
He decided to pursue a career in painting and it quickly became his life’s work. Norman attended the Glasgow School of Art where he laid the foundation for his painting style—one that has been evolving and developing ever since.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 & 2019 Tatha Gallery, Newport on Tay, Fife 2016 The Sutton Gallery, Edinburgh 2010 Howden Park Centre, Livingston 2006 Gallery Gora, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1998 Lloyd Jerome Gallery, Glasgow 1992 Eden Court Theatre Gallery, Inverness 1981 & 1989 Drian Gallery, Marble Arch, London 1976 Education Gallery, City Art Gallery, Leeds 1975 MacRoberts Centre, Stirling University 1974 Talbot Rice Centre, Edinburgh University 1973 Ansdell Gallery, London 1967 & 1969 Traverse Theatre Gallery, Edinburgh Festival 1967 & 1970 Upper Grosvenor Galleries, London
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2003 Fresh Art Fair, Business Design Centre, London 2001 Art for Europe, Scotland House, Brussels 2001 Fresh Art Fair, Business Design Centre, London 1999 Richmond Hill Gallery, London
U.K. PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
1989 Hertfordshire Education Authority 1974 Stirling University 1970 Leeds Education Authority 1967 Kelvingrove Art Galleries, Glasgow
U.K. MEDIA COVERAGE
2018 BBC Scotland’s Loop, ‘The Unteachable Artist’ documentary 2016 The Evening Times, Susan Swarbrick, ‘Glasgow artist Norman Gilbert on celebrating 65 years of his work’ The Herald, Susan Swarbrick, ‘Scottish artist Norman Gilbert on a new exhibition spanning 65 years of his work’ The National, Nan Sport, ‘Artist Norman Gilbert celebrates his latest solo exhibition’ 2012 Pollokshields Heritage feature 2003 The Glaswegian, ‘Norman’s not Normal’ 2003 The Times Lifetime, ‘Portrait of a Stubborn Artist’ 2001 Classic F.M. radio feature with Natalie Wheen 1998 The Herald feature 1996 BBC Radio 4’s Afternoon Shift feature with Felicity Finch 1992 W. Gordon Smith, Scotland on Sunday, ‘Spectrum’ 1989 The Scotsman feature 1974 BBC Scope feature with W. Gordon Smith 1970 Pat Gilmour, Art & Artists feature 1967 John Bradshaw, Vogue feature
Cat. 31 CHAIR (III) oil on board, 122 x 81 cm 2018
End of catalogue preview A full printed catalogue can be purchased through the gallery www.tathagallery.com