Artists

Michael Ayrton (1921-1975)

Born in London, Michael Ayrton studied at Heatherley's and St John's Wood Schools of Art and then, during 1936, spent time in Vienna, copying old master drawings in the Albertina Museum.

His early influences include Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland and his work is associated with the English Neo-Romantics. During 1939, Ayrton shared a studio with John Minton in Paris.

Although he began his career as a painter, Ayrton worked in a diversity of media: as a graphic artist, novelist, critic and radio and television broadcaster.

In 1953 he turned to sculpture, two years after he had moved to the house in North Essex, which was to be his home and studio for the rest of his life, and this discipline became Ayrton's principal interest and enthusiasm.

Ayrton received no formal training in sculpture, although he did receive frequent advice from Henry Moore. He was profoundly influenced by Greek mythology, which was sparked by a visit to Cumae in May 1956, and a six month trip to Greece during 1958, and his bronzes of Daedalus, Icarus and the Minotaur are his best known works.

A retrospective of Ayrton's work was held at the Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, in 1955 and a commemorative exhibition was held at Birmingham City Art Gallery in 1977. He is represented in many public galleries, both nationally and internationally: including The Tate Gallery, London; The British Museum, London; Manchester City Art Gallery; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and The National Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.

Select Bibliography

M. Ayrton, Fabrications, Secker and Warburg, Lodnon, 1972.
M. Ayrton, Drawings and Sculpture, Adams and McKay, London, 1962.
P. Cannon-Brookes, Michael Ayrton An Illustrated Commentary, Birmingham City Museums and Art Gallery Publications, 1978.