Sculptor of reliefs, notably in terracotta, and draughtsman, who did a foundation course at Colchester Institute, 1987–8; attended Dartington College of Arts, 1988–9; and gained an honours degree in fine art at Cheltenham School of Art, 1989–91. Although featuring modern people and settings, Day’s reliefs had a magical, poetic quality and included recurring images such as sleepers and staircases. Awards included The Sir Alfred Munnings Prize, 1988; Prince’s Trust Award, 1991; and The Taylor Foundation Prize, Salon des Artistes Français, 1993. Among commissions was the Conversation Triptych, for Hilton International’s headquarters at Watford, 1996. Group shows included Fresh Art, Business Design Centre, Islington, 1991, and Unicorn Pictures Ltd, Palace of Westminster, 1997.
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Had a solo show at Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery, 1992; a series in France; then Duncan Campbell Contemporary Art, 1997; and Sculpture at Goodwood, 2001. In that year Day’s huge terracotta frieze Bruxelles – La Comédie Urbaine was unveiled at the Galerie Royale St Hubert, Brussels, depicting daily life in the Belgian capital. In 2003, it was announced that Day’s monument depicting Royal Air Force Battle of Britain pilots scrambling, and inscribed with the names of every one of The Few – almost 3,000 airmen – would be placed on the Embankment near the London Eye. Two sculpted reliefs on the bronze and granite memorial would show the battle being fought in the air and on the ground. The London Battle of Britain Monument was unveiled in 2005, with an accompanying exhibition at the Cass Sculpture Foundation. Day lived in France. Houses of Parliament and Lord Archer hold examples.
Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)