Time traveller

Beckenham-based semi-abstract artist Simon Bergin on giving old ideas new life and the colour grey. 

- Diana Crampton

SIMON Bergin has had the same small studio in Beckenham for about seven years but says he can work anywhere, even in the corner of a field, making visual notes to take back to base.

It is important for this artist to be close to the main London galleries and exhibitions, as he finds them a constant source of inspiration, but he also enjoys commercial galleries and the stimulation of mixed shows.

Simon, who was fortunate to have two excellent teachers at school, went to Putney School of Art and became a member of Kew Studio. He feels that formal art training is important as it gives an understanding of the essentials, perspective, the ability to draw, colour, understanding the art tradition, essential things.

His work has been shown at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Lynn Painter-Stainers Exhibition, Mall Galleries, but mainly mixed shows. “Each medium has its own strengths. Oil can be reworked, as can watercolour, gouache, pen and ink, which can be unpredictable. I might start in watercolour and add charcoal or pastel; I like all of them.”