Saint Martin's School of Art

Saint Martin’s School of Art was an art college in central London. Founded in 1854 by the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, it began on the top floor of a nearby school in Shelton Street. By 1859 it had become independent from the church. The Gilbert-Garret Sketching Competition started there in 1870 under headmaster John Parker. The school moved through several buildings before becoming part of the London Institute in 1986. Its sculpture department became famous in the 1960s and 1970s under Frank Martin. He brought in sculptors such as Anthony Caro, Elisabeth Frink and Eduardo Paolozzi to teach. Recent graduates including David Annesley and Phillip King also joined the staff. The first public gig by the Sex Pistols took place at the school in 1975. In 1989 it merged with the Central School of Art and Design to form Central Saint Martins. The college’s old building on Charing Cross Road now houses Foyles bookshop. Among its many graduates are fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, artist Gilbert and George, and musician Sade Adu. Painter Peter Doig and actor Pierce Brosnan also studied there. The school’s influence on British art remains strong. Its legacy lives on in the work of its alumni and the reputation of Central Saint Martins.