Norman Toynton, an innovative British artist who gained international recognition for his groundbreaking work using Masonite pegboard as a canvas, has died at the age of 86. Throughout his career, Toynton transformed what he described as "sensually dead, mass-produced material" into vibrant works of art through his use of lush paint, bold colors, and intricate patterning techniques.

Toynton's artistic journey began in the 1960s when he studied at the prestigious Royal College of Art alongside future art luminaries David Hockney and Allen Jones. His rebellious spirit emerged early in his career when he and Jones were expelled from the college for challenging their conservative professors' teachings and experimenting with revolutionary new painting styles that would later define the pop art movement.

In 1962, Toynton's career reached a pivotal moment when he reunited with Jones and Hockney for the exhibition "Image in Progress" at London's Grabowski Gallery. This groundbreaking show is now recognized as one of the first major pop art exhibitions in the United Kingdom, establishing Toynton as a key figure in the emerging movement that would reshape contemporary art.

Seeking new opportunities and artistic inspiration, Toynton moved to North America in 1969, where he would spend the most productive years of his career. He built a successful dual career as both a practicing artist and an influential educator, serving as chair of the art department at the University of Victoria from 1970 to 1972, and later as head of the Massachusetts College of Art's graduate program in fine art from 1973 to 1981.

Toynton's early life was marked by the trauma of World War II. Born in Hornsey, north London, he experienced the devastation of war firsthand when a German rocket destroyed the flat where he lived with his mother, Maud Wilson. They survived only because a wardrobe fell across their bed, shielding them from the debris. During this time, his father Harry, who worked as a draughtsman of naval charts, was serving on an Arctic convoy bound for Minsk.

The destruction of their home forced the family into a nomadic existence after the war, moving from one temporary lodging to another. This instability meant that young Norman frequently changed schools, creating challenges in his early education. Despite these difficulties, his artistic talent emerged early, and at age 15, he enrolled at Hornsey College of Art. His exceptional abilities were recognized when, in his final year, one of his paintings was accepted for the prestigious Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition.

Following his tumultuous time at the Royal College of Art, Toynton's career began to flourish internationally. He exhibited his work in Liverpool and Germany, earning critical acclaim and winning prizes in Italy and Switzerland. He also shared his expertise as an educator, teaching at art colleges in Cardiff, Leicester, and Croydon, helping to shape the next generation of British artists.

Before settling into his North American academic positions, Toynton embarked on an adventurous journey, hitchhiking throughout the western states of the United States and Canada. This experience exposed him to new landscapes, cultures, and artistic influences that would profoundly impact his later work.

It was during his time as a professor in Massachusetts that Toynton made his most significant artistic breakthrough, becoming fascinated with the creative possibilities of pegboard as a foundation for his paintings. This unconventional choice of medium set him apart from his contemporaries and became his signature technique, allowing him to create textured, three-dimensional effects that were both innovative and visually striking.

Toynton's artistic achievements during this period earned him widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. He held well-received solo exhibitions at prestigious venues including London's Whitechapel Gallery in 1976 and Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art in 1977. His work was also featured in commercial galleries throughout Boston and Manhattan, establishing his reputation on both sides of the Atlantic.

The art world took notice of Toynton's unique contributions, with favorable reviews appearing in major publications including Art in America, ARTnews, and the Boston Globe. The pinnacle of his critical recognition came when he was featured in a major article in Artforum, one of the most influential art magazines in the world, cementing his status as a significant contemporary artist.

Despite achieving the security of a tenured professorship, Toynton chose to follow his artistic passion over academic stability. He gave up his prestigious teaching position and built himself a private studio in the mountains of Vermont, where he immersed himself in the wild beauty of the natural landscape. This environment provided him with new inspiration and allowed him to focus entirely on his artistic practice.

In his later years, Toynton's interests expanded to include Eastern culture and spirituality. After making several extended stays in India, he returned to England in 2006, settling in the coastal village of Sidestrand in north Norfolk. This return to his homeland marked a new chapter in his life and art, as he continued to create and exhibit his work well into his eighties.

Toynton's final major exhibition took place in 2017 at the Dadiani Gallery on Cork Street in London, providing a retrospective look at his decades-long career and his unique contributions to contemporary art. This exhibition served as a fitting culmination to a life dedicated to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

In his personal life, Toynton was married twice. His first marriage to Ruth Brownstein, who was also a painter, ended in divorce. He found lasting happiness in his second marriage in 1980, and is survived by his wife, who provided this account of his remarkable life and career.