Robert Clatworthy RA

Robert Clatworthy RA (1928-2015) was a British sculptor and teacher of art. He studied at the West of England College of Art, and later at Chelsea School of Art where he was taught by Bernard Meadows. In the early 1950's he went to the Slade School of Fine Art and worked briefly as an assistant to Henry Moore.

He taught at St. Martin's School of Art alongside Anthony Caro, Elisbeth Frink and Eduardo Paolozzi at the new sculpture department set up by Frank Martin. In 1956 he joined The London Group, and from 1960-1972 he taught at The Royal College of Art as well as at the West of England College of Art from 1967-1971. He became Governor of St. Martin's from 1970-71 before becoming Head of Fine Art at the Central School of Art & Design.

A sculptor of figures and animals, known for his stylised forms, heavily textured surfaces and challenging abstracted works, he was considered an informal member of the Geometry of Fear group of sculptors . He also designed for the theatre. His first solo exhibition was in 1954 at the Hanover Gallery, and in 1959 his work was included in a group exhibition alongside pieces by Matisse, Picasso and Giacometti. He also exhibited with Austin Desmond Fine Art. Clatworthy's pieces are in the collection of the Tate Gallery; the V & A; the Arts Council of Great Britain, and the National Portrait Gallery.