Studio

Photos by PCA

Bert moved to his studio in Stepney Green in early 1971. A former Jewish Primary school that was that was planned to be pulled down and the site re-built on. Bert was very involved at the time with setting up the organisation SPACE, together with Bridget Riley and Peter Sedgley. They were occupying studios at St Katherine’s Dock and needed to move on. Stepney Green was suggested by the council and the jumped at the chance. Initially, thirty-five artists shared the site including Basil Beattie, Michael Kenny, Bridget Riley, Jon Thompson, Alison Wilding & Victor Willing. Basil and Bert occupied the space that then became Bert’s as it is now - two adjoining classrooms in the girl’s part of the building. This fact always continued to amuse Bert as he entered each day through the door marked GIRLS.

The impact this move had on his work, was a turning point as he could start painting on the enormous canvas sizes he had been wanting to do. His journey, on public transport from Wandsworth Common to Stepney Green, was also part of the process and gave him opportunities to observe life and read - another passion of his.

By 1985 many artists had moved on and the 6 remaining artists in the building seized the opportunity to form a company and buy the Building, thereby protecting it forever.

We still use the Studio as our working space and storage. Bert’s painting area has been preserved, fairly well, as it was.