Born in 1928, and growing up in humble surroundings in London's East End, Sutton left school at fourteen and briefly worked in a drawing office before completing his national service during the Berlin Airlift.

Attending the Slade School of Arts his contemporaries there were Craigie Aitcheson, Michael Andrews and Euan Uglow. The unique and irrepressible colour and vibrance of his style swiftly attracted an attention that lasted into his eighties.

Image: Philip Sutton, 2009