Brooker was trying to find a correlative of musical form in visual form, and in Sounds Assembling the various contrasting sounds have reached a moment of accord, although their individual differences are preserved. The painting’s composition gives the viewer a sense of movement and penetrating energy that is enhanced by the geometric exactness of the lines intruding into the four circular shapes that form the background.

It is possible the word “assembling” has a spiritual connotation: the convergence of the various colours may be like a congregation gathering for worship. As such, it can be said that this painting is spiritually as well as musically inspired.

This Spotlight is excerpted from Bertram Brooker: Life & Work by James King.