Top: Bob works on new pieces for the Perth exhibition in Brian Blanchflower's spacious studio. Above: Bob with the Murdoch University's acquisition chairman Professor Ray Wales and art curator and librarian Nada Nadanasabapapathy

 

Above: Front Page News!. Bob's success in Australia generates interest in Worthing and beyond. You can listen to a recording of the artist being interviewed on BBC Radio 4 on this site.

The 1990s

By 1991 Bob Brighton was broke and living back in a small rented room in Clifton Rd, Worthing. However, things were about to change, yet again.

In 1992, Brian Blanchflower, by now a successful artist in Australia, invited his old friend to join him for 6 months to collaborate on an exhibition at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA). Bob dispatched numerous pieces to Australia by post and on the 20th May, departed himself for Oz.

Bob had planned to pay his dues for the trip by donating the paintings from the show if anyone was interested enough. As it turned out, the show was a success beyond his wildest expectations. It appears that people down under love Bob's art.

The Murdoch University in Perth, who have a policy of acquiring work from aspiring artists, were so impressed that they took acquisition of 9 large paintings and 6 small collages. The Royal Perth Hospital and the Sir Charles Gardner Hospital also subsequently accepted donations.

As well as the success of the exhibition, of equal importance for Bob was that during his stay he was able to create a formidable amount of new pieces working in Brian Blanchflower's studio. Brian agreed to utilise these an effort to secure additional exposure for the artist's work.

Early in 1993 Bob returned to England, not unreasonably flush with success. Almost straight away he was invited to exhibit in the town of Skive, in Denmark where he had formerly taught. Once again his work was eagerly accepted for permanent display at both the museum and library. Meanwhile, Brian's promotion of the artist in Australia was already reaping rewards and in October 1993, Bob heard that a donation of work had been accepted by the prestigious Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA).

By now, local interest in Bob's achievements was such that he was invited to be a guest on the 'Tuesday Lives' show on BBC Radio 4.

You can listen to a recording of the interview here:

Joanna Buchan Radio Interview

As the new millennium approached, Bob's popularity in Australia continued. In 1996, Brian arranged another exhibition for the artist in Perth at the Delaney Galleries. Bob sent numerous pieces of new work for this show which, like the first, received critical acclaim. Then on 13 November 1999, as a fitting conclusion to a successful decade, Bob's solo exhibition opened at the Annandale Galleries in Sydney.

This Millennium