Peter BLAKE b. 1932

Painter of urban realist subjects and pioneer of ‘Pop Art’. Born 25 June 1932 at Dartford, Kent. Studied at Gravesend Art School 1948–51; served in the R.A.F. 1951–3; continued his studies at the R.C.A. 1953–6; won the Leverhulme Research Award to study popular art and travelled in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain 1956–7; was influenced by American realist painters. Exhibited at the R.A. 1954 and 1955; ‘Daily Express’ Young Artists Exhibition 1955; Five Painters, I.C.A. 1958; awarded First Prize in the Junior Section, John Moores Liverpool Exhibition 1961. First one-man exhibition at the Portal Gallery 1962.

If you ask Sir Peter Blake what he would like to be known best for, he certainly won’t say the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s album cover. It is a challenge for him to get press coverage without mentioning it!

 By 29 Sir Peter Blake was a well-established key member of the Pop Art movement. He had already sold works across the UK and the USA and had exhibited at The Royal Academy. His life was surrounded by stars, he was represented by the London Art Dealer, Robert Fraser, who placed him at the heart of swinging London in the sixties. Now, in his eighties, he is working as hard as ever.

Since his emergence in the 1950s and as a key member of the 1960’s burgeoning Pop Art movement, Sir Peter,  the Godfather of British Pop Art, has been one of the best-known British artists of his generation.  He remains one of the very few artists who have achieved both genuine popularity and critical appreciation.  He has worked closely with musicians including Oasis, The Who and Eric Clapton to create some of the most recognizable album covers of the last 60 years.

Watch the BBC “What do Artist’s do all Day” Sir Peter Blake 2015