National Galleries of Scotland

Eduardo Paolozzi’s studio is meticulously recreated with sculptures, models, books, toys and even his bed. In 1994 the artist donated the entire contents of his Chelsea studio to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Viewing the studio, you gain a personal insight into how the artist worked and what inspired him. From 22 October you can book a slot to visit Paolozzi’s Studio using the button on this page.

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi is considered one of the most versatile sculptors in post-war Britain. He was born into an Italian-Scots family and grew up in Leith, Edinburgh, later moving to London. Throughout his career, Paolozzi combined his work as an artist with teaching in art colleges in British and, for periods, in Germany. He had an enthusiastic and encyclopaedic variety of interests in the world and reflected this by frequently changing the media and styles in which he worked.

By looking closely at material from his studio, you can discover more about the man and the source of his ideas. The studio is divided into areas for different types of activity: desks for reading and working with paper, shelves of reference books, a large central table for modeling, and working with plaster casts, and a bunk for resting.

Paolozzi was interested in a number of themes and by seeing his studio you can get an idea of the ways he worked and the inspiration he drew from the world around him.

Paolozzi also generously gave a large body of his work to the Galleries, some of which is permanently on display. This gift includes a substantial number of sculptures, prints and drawings, as well as numerous artefacts (books, toys, machine parts and other items) which have inspired his work.

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