Michael Ayrton (1921-1975)

British painter, sculptor, stage designer, book illustrator, writer on art and broadcaster. He trained with Giorgio de Chirico and Tchelitchew and shared a studio with John Minton, with whom he first exhibited in 1942. From 1944, he was art critic of the Spectator. Encouraged by Alberto Giacometti and Henry Moore, Ayrton turned to sculpture.

His career was often impaired by ill health, but he travelled extensively and had a long and varied list of works to his credit.