Sven Berlin [1911–1999] – Romantic Bohemian Artist

Perhaps one of the most important and overlooked artists of the post-war years, Sven Berlin was a Romantic Bohemian whose highly personal drawings offer a unique glimpse into his world. An influential yet marginalised figure in modern British art, his work is represented in the collections of The Tate, V&A, and David Bowie.

Field System presents a rare opportunity to view and acquire his beautiful line drawings which convey an easiness of execution and a confidence of hand that few artists achieve.

A Brief Biography

Sven Berlin [1911–1999] was an artist, writer, and poet, and a central figure in the development of modern art in St Ives during its most creative period. Rejecting abstraction and the highly competitive art world, he chose instead to live among the Gypsies of the New Forest, where his empathy with nature deeply informed his work.

About Gavin Dunbar

Gavin Dunbar is an art historian, collector, and educator based in Devon, with a passion for artists and artisans who have been forgotten or marginalised—especially Bohemian figures like Sven Berlin. Gavin sees himself as a custodian and enabler, rescuing collections and lone drawings and sharing these treasures with the public. For him, discovering these works is a deeply spiritual and exhilarating experience, allowing others to appreciate and enjoy the art he uncovers.