Quadripartite Form

In the 1950s, like his pioneering contemporaries including Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975), Bertram created pure, spontaneous abstract forms from his chosen materials, especially favouring “almost uncarvable” hardwoods. When he carved this piece, intuitively following the grain, colour and composition of the wood, he was moving away from making holes through pieces towards a more geometric style. He later experimented with constructed work and occasionally included motors to add movement.