Considered one of the central figures of the group of British sculptors known as the New Generation and that come to prominence in the 60s. King studied in Cambridge and did post graduate work at St Martin's School of Art in London between 1957 and 1958. He was Henry Moore's assistant and, later, began teaching at St Martin's School together with Anthony Caro and Eduardo Paolozzi. In 1964 and 1968, he took part in documenta 3 and 4, in Kassel. From 1967-69, he was one of the directors of the Tate Gallery in London. His expansive and gaily coloured sculptures, made in moulded plastic and fibre glass, combine abstract compositions with real objects and had an important influence on British sculpture in the 60s.
