At the site of his studio at 31 Keswick Road

The leader of Wandsworth Council, Ravi Govindia, joined the artist’s many friends and former pupils at the unveiling of the plaque in Keswick Road, organised by the Putney Society. The plaque was unveiled by Royal Academician Mick Rooney.

Carel Weight CH CBE RA worked in his Putney studio for a number of years before he died in 1997. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, taught at the Royal College of Art and was sent to Italy as an official war artist during the second world war.

Carel Weight was born in Paddington, on 10 September 1908. His mother, who was of German and Swedish descent, was a chiropodist, and his father was cashier in a bank. As they both worked, his parents placed Weight with a foster mother, Rose Matkin, who was also his godmother and who lived in Fulham. Weight studied at the local Hammersmith School of Art (1928-30).

He was known for his landscapes and portraits, some of which were set in the areas of south west London that were so familiar to him. His paintings are held in the Tate, the V&A and the Imperial War Museum and one of his works was in the private collection of prolific art collector David Bowie.


A Street in Putney by Carel Weight, 1949

Cllr Govindia said: “It was an honour to attend this event and remember the great artist Carel Weight, who created many of his works at his Keswick Road studio. We are proud of our heritage of supporting the arts here in Wandsworth and I’m delighted there is now a permanent memorial to remember an artist who found inspiration here in Putney. Next time you’re walking along Keswick Road, I would urge you to pause for a few moments at number 31 and take a look.”

May 24, 2018