PETER PATTERSON

Please would you tell us a little about yourself and your background; where were you born & educated, family, friends…

I was born in Epping Forest, Essex. Lived in East Ham, now known as Newham, but most of my life lived in various places in Essex. Educated in a Secondary Modern School in Ilford, Essex.

What was your first job as an adult?

Compositor in the Printing Industry. Then moved into selling print and finally had my own Printing Company.

Was there a moment or a person or a place in your past that influenced you or you feel set you on the journey to where you are now?

My Sunday School Teacher. Mr Clark was the owner of a Printing Company, and he gave me a job, as an apprentice compositor, without me sitting any exams. I respected and thanked him for doing what he did for a young lad that needed help from a Children’s Home.

Please could you describe a typical day and what makes a good day... And conversely, what makes a bad day?

Now that the gallery is closed, I enjoy surfing the net looking for new artists, seeing their work and interviewing them. I try to visit their studio, that gives one an insight into how they work. It is a good feeling when a piece of artwork has sold, knowing that it is going to a good home. 

A bad day is when technology goes wrong!

Could you tell us the story of an exhibition that you have particularly enjoyed?

The Royal Portrait Exhibition at the Mall Galleries. I encouraged Anthony Ellis, the Portrait Artist, to enter and he did with a portrait and a pencil drawing, the drawing sold. A friend of the winner commented on Anthony’s work and said she ‘felt it was the next best in the Exhibition’. I still enjoy visiting the Mall Galleries.

How do you go about sourcing new artists for the gallery?

I meet artists at Art Fairs and encourage them to show their work in my gallery.

I will leave all the artists in situ, as that could be a major change.

How would you prefer new artists to approach you?

By making an appointment. However, I have had artists turn up and I explain that it would be preferable to make an appointment, but I do not turn them away. This has happened a few times and those artists are still with me. 

Do you have any advice for young and aspiring artists?

Always carry a notebook to sketch anything that they see as a reference for later use. Or use their phone to record these things, however a pencil drawing has more feeling.

If you weren’t a gallery owner what would you be?

I used to run a Printing Company and would like to still be in that position. A racing driver! or an Opera singer!

What work of art would you most like to own?

Tamera De Lempicka. Early Turner. Albrecht Durer.