Michael Challenger

Born in 1939 in Kent’s gothic coastal town of Ramsgate, Michael Challenger spent his early years under the spectre of the Second World War, particularly as the area near his childhood home was the target of bombing raids at the beginning of the war. As a teenager, Challenger was fascinated by the innovations in aircraft technology embodied by the challenge of breaking the sound barrier. At the age of sixteen he undertook a five-year engineering apprenticeship working in an aircraft factory, an experience which proved to be the impetus for his artistic career. During his final years at the factory he began working as a draughtsman on three- dimensional designs for aircraft components, and through this work he developed a sincere interest in art. Following his apprenticeship he enrolled at Goldsmith’s College, where he studied sculpture from 1960 to 1964. He then attended the Slade School of Art and eventually went on to teach sculpture, printmaking, and screen-printing at both institutions.

NOTABLE PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:

Tate Gallery Print Collection, UK; Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Bradford City Art Gallery, UK; British Museum, Print Collection, UK; British Council, UK; Arts Council of Great Britain, UK; Slade School of Art, UK; University of Wales, UK; University of Stirling, UK; Museo del Castelvecchio - Verona, Italy; Boston College, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Museum of Fine Arts, USA; Yale Centre for British Art, USA; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; Towner Art Gallery Eastbourne, UK; Southampton City Art Gallery, UK; Estudio Actual - Caracus, Venezuela; Konstframjandet Gallery, Sweden; Rodyards Limited, Australia; Western Australian Art Gallery, Australia.