Sir Peter Blake RA

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.