Bromley Art Society Bringing Artists Together since 1947

Now that I find myself following in Roy’s footsteps as your Chairman, I hope that the Bromley Art Society will build on the progress which has been made during his years at the helm and go on to even greater things. The survival of a group like ours in these times is not easy and not guaranteed. Just because the society has been in existence for 58 years does not mean that it will reach its centenary without a good deal of effort and loyalty from its members. Costs are rising, exhibition venues are fewer and so, it seems are enthusiastic buyers of art. We must not be downhearted however; we have a hard working committee with ideas. They were responsible for organising the weekly Workshops at Ripley last year and these are continuing although it would be good if more of you came along when you have a Wednesday afternoon free.

When researching and writing the History of the Society recently (the second part can be found in this issue) I began to think about my own art history which has covered almost exactly the same period of time. Although life in the late 1940s was generally dreary with rationing and other restrictions of the war continuing, it 
was also a period of exitement and high hopes for the future. For me, at art school, the art scene was forever revealing new experiences and influences. More mature artists were returning to their work and post-war art books with colour plates could be found - if you were lucky. Exhibitions by contemporary artists were beginning again. British artists like Sutherland, Nash and Piper came to the fore then and as the years went by, works by international artists came flooding in to London galleries. They were not to be missed. Picasso, Matisse, Rauschenberg, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O’Keefe and many more. They all had something to say and different ways of saying it. The shows still go on - of course we do not like everything we see and quite often have to ask if the exhibit can be called art. But I believe that every show has something that will  catch the imagination, will cause wonder or make you want to do better. The boundaries are always being tested - “isms” come and go - Pop-art, Op-art, Kineticart have given way to computer art and videos. Some of us may usually walk past these videos but if they are by Bill Viola I suggest you sit down and watch with care- if these are not art then little is.

The art I speak of is visual art - we join other societies for the pleasures of music, 
theatre and literature. Most of our membership consists of people who enjoy painting. As an art teacher most of my effort was given to teaching techniques so that students stood a chance of realising their objective - a good picture often resulted but it is always up to the painter to add that magic ingredient - and transform the picture into art. Many of you may not achieve this sublime goal, but I am sure you will enjoy your attempts.

Pat Tucker