Michael Craig-Martin

Born in Ireland, Craig-Martin studied in America before moving to Britain in 1966. Influenced by conceptualism and minimalism, he came to prominence for An Oak Tree (1973), consisting of a glass of water on a shelf and a semiotic text. As a senior tutor at Goldsmith's College from 1973, he fostered the early careers of the YBAs. Craig-Martin's output spans sculpture using household materials, printmaking and stylised painting, generally of everyday objects, using black outline and vivid colours. ' Except for eating and sleeping I virtually live here. I come to the studio between nine and 10 in the morning, and I usually stay until seven or eight in the evening'.

Text © National Portrait Gallery, London