Robert Tooze
As a founder member of Artists First, Robert or ‘Bob’ as he liked to be called, was unique. Unlike his fellow figurative artists, the work he produced was almost purely abstract.
His love of line, colour and scale is evident throughout his work.
Bob was fascinating to work with in the studio, with his working methods very ‘set’ compared with the fluidity of his art.
On arrival he would don his blue boilersuit on before drinking his tea. He would always work flat out and due to love of scale, often this had to be over two tables. Bob would then look for large brushes, usually filberts, before choosing his colours. Bob didn’t draw.
Coloured shapes would be slowly and thoughtfully painted out before being ‘filled’ to make solid irregular blocks.
Bob’s compositions would happen ‘live’ , one shape informing the next. If Bob did make errors, he either ignored them or embraced them. Although Bob was inclined to use 'straight from the pot colours’, when he wanted a colour mixed, he would ask for help rather than attempt to mix it himself. This is something I , (Andy) , loved doing.
Dependent on size, each work would take three to four sessions. Bob would always finish one piece before starting another. Bob rarely gave his work titles but when he did, it was definite and not open to question. If I asked why he’d called it “Dancers at a Pantomime” Bob would just give me a look of indignation, equivalent to a verbal “Stupid boy” before continuing with his work.
Sadly, Bob died young. He has, however, left a wonderful collection of works on MDF and paper, some of which will now be held in the National Disability Art Collection and Archive, something truly befitting to the work of this unique artist.
