Lunchtime Paolozzi

Since my very first days at art school in the late 1970′s, the creative work of Eduardo Paolozzi has always appealed to me. His brutal robot-like constructions, reliefs and strangely futuristic pop collage appear to hail from another planet, or possibly an underworld, as they also feature in the concourses and tunnels of Tottenham Court Road tube, London Underground’s deepest station.

Sometimes I flick through my ‘Moonstrip Empire News’ gallery catalogues just to rekindle a little of the creative rush that his work once inspired in me.

In the late 1980′s I had the fortuitous pleasure of meeting this giant figure in the Tate Gallery. I recognised the artist immediately and was instantly star-struck. We discussed collage and technology for a few moments, then shook hands and walked into our respective futures.

I was saddened to hear of Paolozzi’s death a couple of years back, but pleased that the art world had eventually recognised his great talent as a diverse and prolific mixed-media artist.

Just occasionally Paolozzi pops up to say hello. Yesterday at Leeds City Art Gallery, seeking sanctuary before a business meeting, I catch a glimpse of the art-deco motifs that adorn much of his screenprint work from the late 1960s.

Later, on the fourth floor of the art-deco styled corporate building in City Square, I glance out of the window and Paolozzi’s cityscape is there again; the familiar arches and curves, right there on the paving stones of City Square itself.