German-born, Bert Kirchner has lived in Antigua for 42 years. As the owner of the famous restaurant, Papa Zouk, Film Commissioner, and Ambassador at Large of Antigua & Barbuda, as well as a long career as a film producer, Bert has had a colourful and interesting life, which recently became even more interesting.
Having caught Covid-19 back in 2020 and feeling rather unwell, Bert fainted, fell down some steps, and cracked his head on a concrete floor. What happened from that moment onwards sounds like something from a movie, although sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. Despite never having painted before, Bert was inspired to pick up a paintbrush. The results were astounding. Doctors have confirmed that after certain head injuries, people can develop “savant syndrome”, which in Bert’s case, unleashed a talent for painting that he never knew he had and still astounds him and those around him to this day. In total, Bert has created 69 paintings, and he continues to be inspired on his newly found artistic journey.
