Hailing from Trinidad and having Scottish heritage, the creative path of Norman Gilbert took shape during his formative years as a student at the Glasgow School of Art. Born in 1926, Gilbert honed a distinctive painting style that continually evolved through his lengthy career, marking his journey until it concluded at the ripe age of ninety-three in 2019.
Notably, the final chapter of Gilbert’s career brought about acclaim and commercial success, particularly after a BBC feature on his works went viral in 2018. His lifelong dedication to art saw him tenderly capturing the progression of his family members’ lives. Over sixty years, he chronicled his wife Pat’s evolution, culminating in a touching compilation of sketches drawn by her side as she recovered from a stroke in 2016. Gilbert’s legacy has garnered amplified attention since his passing a couple of years prior.
Today, collectors and enthusiasts can find Gilbert’s pieces, such as the vibrant “Stephanie” from 2000, and the evocative “Puppeteer B&W” from 1999—recently displayed at the Arusha Gallery—featured on platforms like Artsy. Other works have been showcased at Tatha Gallery in Fife, Scotland, broadening their reach.