1930 -

Bryan Kneale was born in Douglas, Isle of Man, in 1930. He studied at Douglas School of Art (1947) and at the Royal Academy Schools, London (1948-52). In 1948 he won the Rome Prize, and spent most of his time travelling in Italy where he was greatly influenced by the work of the Futurists and metaphysical painters. His early ambition was to be a painter, and on returning to London in 1951 he started to paint with palette knives in a desire to 'construct' with paint. In 1960, having learnt welding techniques, Bryan Kneale turned to three dimensions and held his first exhibition of sculpture.