Robert Bird (1921 - 2016)

Robert Edgar Bird was known to everyone as Bob, born 3rd July 1921 in Birmingham. 

The youngest of six children, three sisters and 2 brothers. After leaving school he worked for a firm of commerical artists where he was encouraged to develop his evident talent for drawing and painting.

He was conscripted during the war and joined the Royal Engineers. He took part in the invasion of Europe, landing on the continent the day after D-Day. He fought his way across Europe with the Allied Army to Berlin and involved in the liberation of the concentration camps which he rarely spoke about.

He was transferred to India whilst the war continued with Japan and eventually returned after the war to England in 1946.

When he was discharged he took advantage of the government scheme for returning servicemen and went to Nottingham to continue studies in fine art gaining his first job at the College of Art at Newcastle-upon-Tyne including teaching evening classes at he Newcastle University.

He married in 1957 and in 1965 they returned to live in the Midlands when Robert became head of fine art at North Staffordshire Polytechnic working with Arthur Berry, and he continued there until his retirement in the 1980s and they lived in Wolstanton, Newcastle under Lyme.

Bob was a prolific painter throughout his post war life. He held many exhibitions both locally and nationally and he also wrote many articles as art critic for The Sentinel newspaper.

Barewall are delighted to be able to uncover the story to this artist's work and look forward to discovering his output in time. We hope you love his work as we do.