James Butler RA

Born in 1931 educated at Maidstone he moved to London studies at St Martins and Royal College of Art. Spent 10 years as a professional stone carver responsible for such carvings as Queen Beasts in Kew Gardens. Elected member of RA member of RWA fellow of FRBS and member of Society of Portrait Sculptors in 1970 a commission of President Kenyatta (double life size)in centre of Nairobi, whereupon he decided he gave up teaching to sculpt full time.

Major Commission have included the winged figure of Daedalus a memorial to fleet Air Arm standing on the Embankment gardens and memorial to Green Howards “a remarkably moving piece of our time” and a figure of Field Marshall Earl Alexander of Tunis on Wellington Barracks to name just a few. Designs in contrast for Royal Mint, Royal Seal of the Realm, Jubilee coin and 50p piece commemorating Roger Bannister’s 4 minute mile. On a smaller scale produces sculptures of dancers, children and small nudes inspired by his wife and 5 daughters.