Eduardo Paolozzi Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Eduardo
Paolozzi

Eduardo Paolozzi, a key figure in the Pop Art movement, revolutionised the art world with his groundbreaking sculptures, prints, and collages that drew inspiration from popular culture and mass media. If you're looking for Eduardo Paolozzi original prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Born in Leith, Edinburgh, in 1924, Eduardo Paolozzi was the eldest son of Italian parents. His early life was marked by the hardships of World War II. Despite these challenges, Paolozzi's artistic talent emerged at a young age, and he went on to study at the Edinburgh College of Art and later at the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

Paolozzi's work was heavily influenced by his fascination with popular culture, science, and technology. He was a key figure in the Independent Group, a collective of artists, writers, and critics who laid the groundwork for the Pop Art movement in Britain. Paolozzi's 1952 lecture, Bunk, which featured a series of collages made from American magazines, is a seminal moment in the birth of Pop Art.

Throughout his career, Paolozzi experimented with a wide range of media, including sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, and textiles. His sculptures often incorporated found objects and industrial materials, reflecting his interest in the relationship between art and technology. Notable examples include the Bunk series (1947-1952), The History Of Nothing (1962), and the bronze sculpture Newton After Blake (1995) in the British Library piazza.

Paolozzi's printmaking practice was equally innovative, with his bold, graphic style and use of screenprinting techniques. His print series, such as As Is When (1965) and Zero Energy Experiment Pile (1970), demonstrated his ability to combine disparate elements into cohesive, vibrant compositions.

He held various teaching positions in sculpture and ceramics, including at the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg between 1960–62 and the University of California, Berkeley in 1968. Paolozzi had a long-standing connection with Germany, beginning in 1974 when he worked in Berlin as part of the Berlin Artist Programme of the German Academic Exchange Programme. He later served as a professor at the Fachhochschule in Cologne from 1977 to 1981 and taught sculpture at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich.
Paolozzi's work gained international recognition, with exhibitions at institutions including the Tate, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Venice Biennale. In 1989, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the arts. Paolozzi continued to create art until his death in 2005, leaving a vibrant legacy in the art world and pop culture more broadly.

Driven by the rapid technological advancements of the post-war era, this interest can be felt across Paolozzi’s oeuvre. His sculptures frequently incorporated industrial materials and mechanical components, reflecting the growing influence of technology in everyday life. Similarly, his collages and prints featured imagery sourced from science and engineering, including machine parts, computer components, and scientific diagrams. By vibrantly depicting these technologies, Paolozzi's work captured an era marked by significant change and innovation.
Paolozzi's time in Paris from 1947-49 marked a period where he was influenced by Dada and Surrealism. This impact is evident in his early works, particularly in his collages, where he combined elements such as magazine advertisements, cartoons, and machine parts. These experiments reflect the avant-garde spirit of Dada and Surrealism and laid the groundwork for his later contributions to Pop Art. Paolozzi's ability to merge the surreal and the mechanical became a defining aspect of his legacy.
The mosaics at Tottenham Court Road Station, completed by Paolozzi in 1986, are among London Underground’s most notable public art pieces. They span 950 square metres across the Northern and Central line platforms and reflect Paolozzi’s themes of mechanisation, urbanisation, and everyday life. During a major station renovation, 95% of the mosaics were carefully restored, while sections from the arches were transferred to the Edinburgh College of Art, where Paolozzi once studied and taught. These mosaics are now part of a new undergraduate program. They exemplify Paolozzi's ability to merge infrastructure, art and everyday life.