Tributes have been paid to local sculptor and artist Alan Thornhill, who died peacefully at his home in Chalford on March 4 at the age of 98.

Although having suffered from a disabling muscular condition in latter years, Alan was a well known figure in Stroud both as artist and as an active peace campaigner against the Iraq War.

He began his association with the area in the 1950’s when he set up the successful Hawkley Pottery in Eastcombe with his then wife painter Sheila Denning and taught at Stroud School of Art.

A friend of famous sculptor Lynn Chadwick and Jack Greaves, Alan began to create figurative sculptures in clay at that time.

Moving to London in 1959 he continued his life-long exploration of clay, creating increasingly large abstract and semi-figurative pieces in his studio in Putney.

His radical approach was based on improvisation and finding ways of dispensing with an internal armature.

Alan taught sculpture at Barking College and then at Morley College in South London for 17 years and had a devoted following of students.

In his 80’s he became a Trustee and then teacher at the Frink School of Sculpture in the Midlands.

Alan also created a large number of portrait heads, many of well-known people such as Tom Stoppard, Mannie Shinwell, A S Neil, Enoch Powell and Basil Bunting who all sat for him.

Alan was also a prolific painter in later life, exploring still lives, self-portraits and landscapes of France and the Chalford area which he moved back to over 25 years ago with his partner Kate Shuckburgh.

In 2012 Alan had a substantial curated retrospective exhibition at the Museum in the Park and he also donated several pieces, two of which, ‘Summoner’ and ‘Punch and Judy’ are now installed in the Museum garden.

Kevin Ward, Museum Development Manager said: “His work is an important part of the museum’s collection and it has provided many opportunities for people to be inspired, undertake learning and to enjoy an aspect of their local heritage."

Alan also donated nine bronze pieces to Wandsworth Council which form the permanent Putney Sculpture Trail along the Thames embankment in South London, opened in 2008.

Alan is survived by his three children, Anna and Teresa and Philip. A moving documentary about his work made by his daughter Anna can be accessed through his website bit.ly/2R2vpDn