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John Gratton

BORN:
1932. Died 2024.

EARLY LIFE:
John Gratton had limited formal schooling due to the disruption of the war and described himself as a truant. At the age of 14, he entered engineering, working alongside his father and gaining practical, hands on experience from an early age.

LIVES:
He was based in England.

CAREER:
At 18, Gratton joined the Royal Air Force, serving three years as a regular and a further five years as a reservist. During his service, he worked on B29 Flying Fortress aircraft with 35 Squadron, later transferring to 266 Squadron aerial display team. There, he was involved with flying Vampire and Venom aircraft, travelling extensively from Germany to South Africa in support of RAF promotional activities.

Following the end of his regular service in 1953, he returned to engineering. During the recession of 1975 – 1980, he was made redundant, which led him to pursue his hobby of sculpting full-time. He began creating fantasy figures, including warriors and dragons, selling them at the long established Sunday art market on Bayswater Road in London. The success of these sales marked the beginning of his artistic career.

Gratton expanded his reach by exhibiting at country fairs and major events such as Period Living and Ideal Home exhibitions. He and his wife, Paula, later ran a shop near Marble Arch for five years, which Paula managed successfully until increasing demand made it difficult to sustain.

MATERIALS:
Primarily metal, drawing on his engineering and welding background.

STYLE AND SUBJECTS:
His work focused on fantasy subjects, particularly warriors, dragons, and imaginative figures, combining craftsmanship with a strong narrative and decorative appeal.

AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS:
Gratton exhibited widely at fairs, exhibitions, and public venues. Notable highlights include participation in “Hoist the Flag” at Harrods, Knightsbridge in 1981, where he also delivered a talk to junior executives. He additionally gave talks to the British Institute of Welders and at invited events in Birmingham.

John Gratton art for sale from The Sculpture Park is detailed below:

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