A SCULPTOR, painter and curator with a wide-ranging passion for art died suddenly at the age of 56.

Lendon Scantlebury, of Wantage, curated a number of successful exhibitions showcasing his own work and that of others at venues in Ardington, Buckinghamshire, Abingdon and more.

The enthusiastic artist developed his skills while working in the bronze foundry and sculpture casting business for several decades.

Lendon Scantlebury was born in Barbados on October 23, 1960 and moved to the United Kingdom 11. He initially lived in High Wycombe and moved around to various places before eventually settling on Wantage.

He spent more than 30 years in the bronze foundry and sculpture casting business, and owned and ran an art foundry for many years during that period.

The experience imbued him with an understanding of working in bronze, as well as the wide range of patinas. He learned to restore as well as create new work.

He was known to his family as a passionate professional artist who exhibited widely and curated successful exhibitions to showcase not only his own art but also that of his fellow artists carefully chosen to complement the venues.

His art, in Mr Scantlebury’s own words, was predominantly contemporary and looked at the human psychological and spiritual journey of life.

Mr Scantlebury had a long-running association with Oxfordshire Artweeks Festival, curating a number of exhibitions over the years.

He curated Art in Ardington, part of the festival, in 2014. Ardington, Lockinge and Ginge became home to more than 200 outdoor sculptures by some 50 artists from all over the county.

The exhibition was a huge success with more than 11,000 people visiting during its nine-day run.

Mr Scantlebury also encouraged young aspiring artists to explore new media and methods and had planned to endow a foundation to enable more young people to discover art.

This will now be undertaken by his friends and fellow artists so that his name will continue to inspire and motivate.

Mr Scantlebury met Dawn Benson, his partner, in London in 1999. The couple shared a mutual passion for art, with Ms Benson also working as an artist and sculptor.

He died suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 11, and is survived by his two daughters, Natalie and Alaina, and his partner, Ms Benson.