Michael Canney was born at Falmouth, and from an early age he was taken to the St Ives Show Days, and was encouraged to visit the many artists’ studios in Cornwall.

While at King’s College, Taunton he was encouraged by the art master William Lyons-Wilson, who was a member of the Surrealists and an acquaintance of Henry Moore. In 1940-42 he attended full-time Classes at Redruth and Penzance Schools of Art, and St Ives School of Painting, under Leonard Fuller.

From 1942-47 he served as a draughtsman in the Royal Engineers, and when serving in Italy was particularly encouraged in his studies by Di Chirico.

He became Art Editor of the Army Newspaper in Austria and he started to work in an Analytical-Cubist manner. Betwee...