A CELEBRATED sculptor whose work is displayed across Oxford has died.

Michael Black, of Chalfont Road in Jericho, died on Valentine's Day last week.

The great-grandfather was perhaps best-known in Oxford for creating the 'emperor head' statues or 'herms' outside the Sheldonian Theatre, carved from stone in the 1970s.

He also sculpted the pelican figure at Oxford' Corpus Christi College, the archangels at University Church of St Mary the Virgin, and the headstone for author Robert Gibbings in Long Wittenham.

Oxford Mail:

Sculptor Michael Black in the studio. Picture by Michele Clement-Delbos

A memorial service will take place at University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Tuesday, March 12, at 2.30pm.

Black clothing is not necessary and donations have been requested in place of flowers, for the Artists General Benevolent Institution.