1924-2005
Considered to be one of the pioneers in pop art, Eduardo Paolozzi, sculptor and painter, was born in Scotland in 1924. In 1943 studied at the Edinburgh College of Art, then St Martin’s School of Art in 1944 and then finally at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1944 to 1947. After studying between 1947 -1949 he travelled over to Paris to work; these couple of years marked an important impression on his life. He met many of the original Surrealists in Paris during that time and their impact can be seen in the sculptures Paolozzi created during the 1950s. After Paris he moved back to London and filled his workshop with an array of unusual objects found, discarded toys, any material he thought would work well in sculpting.
In 1955 Eduardo Paolozzi established a design company producing wallpaper, textiles and ceramics. In the 1960s his graphic work was seen as being high innovative with his prints being characterised by Pop culture references and technological imagery. He was appointed a CBE in 1968 and 1979 was elected to the Royal Academy. He was a highly sought after teacher of sculpting and ceramics teaching at several prominent institutions. He was promoted to the office of Her Majesty’s Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland in 1986 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989 as Knight Bachelor. He designed the mosaic patterned wall in Tottenham Court Road Tube Station in 1982. He passed away in 2005.
Read the Blog: Eduardo Paolozzi – The First Pop Artist.
