Born in 1924 in Edinburgh, Paolozzi studied at Edinburgh and Slade. Between 1947 and 1950 he worked in Paris and met Giacometti and Debuffet and studied Miro, Klee, the Dada and Surrealist Schools. His first solo exhibition was at the Mayor in 1947. He later showed at the Hanover Gallery and the Tate in 1971. Paolozzi has taught at Central School and St Martin's. His work reflects his interest in modern technology and is explored across all mediums.