About Me
Des Bergen, alias "Baba Desi" and "The Wizard", moved to the Belgrave area in the outer-Melbourne hills 13 years ago.An artist, healer and political activist, Desi has a distinctive air of individualism about him. Once you meet him, you're unlikely to forget him.Desi is an erstwhile non-conformist, and has helped many people in his long life to become aware and notice what is really going on around them.
He espouses, and I quote, that he "Would like to see the people of Australia stand up and question, and further develop their potential."Baba Desi has been involved in the political arena, having run for the Port Melbourne city council, and is still a strong peace activist and staunch republican. He also believes in greater police accountability and gun control. "I'm just a shit-stirrer," he likes to quip. Locally, he is an icon, and to the people needing him, a healer.He's been an artist in one way or another all his life, and has exhibited in Melbourne a number of times.
His most recent work is oil on canvas of an impressionist abstract nature, which he says is a reflection of his true self.Brought up on the formerly mean-streets of Richmond, Melbourne, as well as in the country towns of Wangaratta and Shepparton, Desi was one of the first male models on Australian TV, and helped to organise underground jazz parties in the late 1950s and early '60s.Desi is also a proud dad and grandfather.
