Laurence Burt

Laurence Burt (12 March 1925 – 26 April 2015) was a British sculptor and educator who taught at various art colleges across the UK from the late 1950s. Trained as an industrial metalworker, his skills and knowledge of materials strongly influenced his art and teaching practice.

Early life and education Burt was born in Leeds, Yorkshire and at a young age served in the British Army during World War II. He went on to work as an industrial metalworker in Leeds before transitioning to the arts after taking evening classes at Leeds College of Art, where he later became a lecturer. In 1964, Burt moved to Cardiff College of Art as a principal lecturer in sculpture, once again working alongside Tom Hudson during the creation of the institution’s Diploma in Art and Design (DipAD) curriculum.

Throughout his teaching career, Burt continued to exhibit in various group and solo exhibitions including at Drian Galleries (London), the Angela Flowers Gallery, (London) and the Henry Moore Institute (Leeds).

Work and Style Burt’s sculptures frequently employed metal (hammered sheet & cast), wood, canvas, resin and found objects. Notable works include Helmet I (1962), held in the Tate collection, Machine A.D. '65 and The Piscean (1973), now at the Makarios Cultural Foundation in Nicosia, Cyprus.