It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Stuart Bastik. Artist, founder and co-director of Art Gene with Maddi Nicholson, Stuart was also one half of Nicholson Bastik.

Stuart died following a period of illness on Friday at his beloved ‘black huts’, on the beach at Sandscale Haws, surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty.

Stuart was instrumental in creating Art Gene’s studios, galleries and Allotment Soup, the Isle of Walney Community Growing Space. In countless place-making and cultural projects, and in the way he lived his life, he was a driving force for sustainability.

As a young graduate in the ’80s, Stuart fell in love with Barrow-in-Furness and the complex issues and connections it presents. A radical thinker, his practice was deeply embedded within place, people, nature, and industry.

Stuart’s early practice included site-specific commissioned sculpture; this work led him to question and test the role of artists in the social, natural and built environment, not least through his long-term residential project at Sandscale Haws.

“… too often artists cling rigidly to a predefined, even historical, notion of artistic practice; it can become a life raft rather than an ocean in which to swim.” Stuart Bastik

 

We will be in touch when we have further news to share regarding a celebration of Stuart’s life and work.

Meanwhile, our current exhibition, If These Walls Could Talk, tells the story of the transition of the now Nan Tait Centre from dereliction to Art Gene’s HQ. Stuart was instrumental in saving and breathing new life into this building. The exhibition will remain open in tribute to Stuart until 31st July, and a memorial book will be available in our Mezzanine Gallery for anyone who would like to sign it.

If you have any queries, please direct them to enquiries@art-gene.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we can.