Arthur Dooley

Arthur Dooley (17 January 1929 – 7 January 1994) was a British artist and sculptor. He was born Arthur John Patrick Dooley in the city of Liverpool, Dooley commenced employment as a welder at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. In 1945, he enlisted in the Irish Guards and became a piper in the regiment's band. During his 9 years of service, he served in Europe and the Middle East, deserting at one stage and joining the Palestine Liberation Army before being caught and spending a lengthy period in detention. Dooley took part in the traditional Changing of the Guard when serving at Chelsea barracks and eventually reached the rank of sergeant. After leaving the army, Dooley began work as a cleaner at Saint Martin's School of Art in London. He became a student there in 1953. Dooley had his first exhibition at the Gallery of the same name in 1962. Having decided he wanted to be a sculptor, he left London for Liverpool and set up a tiny studio. To support himself financially, he took a job with the police force which patrolled Liverpool's many parks. He later worked in the large Dunlop Rubber Factory at Speke. In 1956, he set up a studio in Slater St where he began to sculpt in earnest.