Bryan Robertson has died – the greatest Tate Gallery Director we
never had. Still active at 72, Robertson transformed the Whitechapel
Gallery from 1952. Director at the early age of 27, he also transformed
the public awareness worldwide, of Australian art. Iconoclastic
and eclectic, he was first kicked into touch by historian Lawrence
Gowing, who was miffed by fellow aspirant for the directorship which
led to his own exclusion from the superb book Private Review (see
earlier coverage here) by John Russell and Bryan Robertson, following
a photo opportunity too far proposed of himself on the steps of
the Tate. There was, in turn, a major muddle, where even resorting
to politicians could not settle matters appropriately in Robertson’s
favour. Which is how Norman Reid got the job, as the compromise
outsider. But Robertson’s career had been evilly and permanently
sabotaged.
Studio International will publish a considered Obituary shortly
of Bryan Robertson. Ironically his first work experience ever was
at this Studio journal on leaving school. Robertson, like David
Sylvester, will be sorely missed.
