Bert L. Long, Jr. (1940 - 2013) Bert L. Long, Jr., a self-taught artist, was born in 1940 in Texas, grew up in Houston's historic Fifth Ward and received his formal education from UCLA. Following a career as a master chef Long, decided to devote himself entirely to art in 1979. He began to explore folk art and assemblage to create a unique body of work, attracting the attention of Jim Harithas, the director of the contemporary arts museum Houston, and artists John Alexander, Salvatore Scarpitta and James Surls. His life spanned an era of radical change in the American social climate, the in Äuence of which can be seen in his early work. Long's paintings and sculptures incorporate a high level of skill and sophisticated knowledge of art history, along with complex philosophical and social issues. Long describes the philosophy behind his work as "a quest to help people diagnose their inner self," believing his art to be "the vehicle to help facilitate [such a] process." The late Peter Marzio, former Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, said of Bert Long: "Bert Long does not avert his gaze from that which is painful, but as [his artworks] testify, he also brings a spirit if joy and redemption to his art. We can all learn from this great artist." Over Long's 33-year career as a painter, sculptor, and photographer he was awarded several significant awards including the National Endowment of the Arts Grant in 1987 and the prestigious Prix de Rome fellowship in 1990. Awards: TALA (Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts) Artist of the Year, 2009. Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Assistance Grant, 1997. Rome Prize Fellowship, 1990-91. Houston Art League Texas Artist of the Year, 1990. NEA Visual Artists Fellowship Grant, 1987. Bemis Foundation Residency, 1988.Public Collections: Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC; Dallas Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Art, Houston; Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock; Bell Telephone, Houston, TX; Highland Distributing Co., Houston; Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago Library; Groupo Larios, Spain; Instituto de Bachillerato, "Mario Roso de Luna", Logrosan, Spain; Office of the Mayor, Berzocana, Spain; Fabric Workshop Museum, Philadelphia; Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont; Dallas Morning News; Gallerie Dario Boccara, Paris, France; SBC Collection of 20th Century Art, San Antonio, TX; Jack S. Blanton Museum, Austin Museum, Austin, TX; San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.