South Kensington

Peter Gardner’s pastel depicts six figures standing on the platform at South Kensington tube station on a gloomy London day. Other than two of the male figures standing shoulder to shoulder, each of the others are spread out, solitary and avoiding interacting with one another. The muted colour pallet of blues, greens and greys gives the impression that it is an overcast and chilly day, possibly early in the morning. Gardner captures the isolation of London life and the uncanny quality of an almost deserted tube station, as opposed to one filled with the bustle of tourists and commuters.

Peter Gardner

Peter Gardner was born in London in 1921. He studied at the Hammersmith School of Art between 1935 and 1938, before serving in Italy and in the European campaign during WWII. He then returned to Hammersmith in 1947, and graduated in 1950. After that Gardner attended the London Institute of Education, where he was awarded the Art Teacher's Diploma.

Gardner taught art at West Norwood School and became Head of Art at Plaistow Grammar School as well as teaching at Fulham and South Kensington Adult Education Institute. He exhibited at the Trafford Gallery in London in 1965, and then many others, including the Royal Academy, the ROI and the New English Art Club.

He retired from teaching in 1979 and moved to Dorset, where he is still painting today.