(William) Kenneth Armitage

Sitter in 12 portraits
Armitage was born in Leeds, where he studied at the College of Art before attending the Slade School of Fine Art in London (1937-9). After serving in the army during the Second World War, he was appointed Head of Sculpture at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, a post he held for ten years. He was Britain's first university artist in residence (at the University of Leeds, 1953-56). Armitage was selected to exhibit at the Venice Biennale in 1952 and in 1958, when he won the prize for best international sculptor under age 45. During the 1960s he adapted to changing art styles, incorporating plastic or spray paint. Armitage was elected to the Royal Academy in 1994.