Painter, constructions artist, teacher and musician, born Southend, Essex. He studied at St Martin’s School of Art and Royal Academy Schools, 1956–62, then began teaching, including Liverpool Polytechnic. Saunders produced his first Systematic-Constructive works in 1967, then in 1969 began collaborative work with composers and co-founded the Systems Group of artists. He was artist-in-residence at Sussex University, 1970, and at Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 1972, where he made an intensive study of the works of Piet Mondrian. In 1978 Saunders began investigations into colour functions, in 1985 being co-organiser of the exhibition Colour Presentations, a Clwyd Arts & Exhibitions Service touring show, while living in north Wales. In 1994 Saunders returned to live in London.