From the early 1970s onwards, Albert Irvin celebrated the “birthday” of one of his heroes, the artist JMW Turner, on St George’s Day with a party in his studio attended by fellow painters and friends.
Recently this had taken place in rooms over pubs or at the Chelsea Arts Club, but always it was presided over by a life-size silhouette of Turner himself, mounted on hardboard. The only drink offered for the toast was rum.
This year, on 23 April, it is certain that glasses will be raised not only in honour of the great painter but also to celebrate the life and work of Bert, his fellow Londoner.
