Born in London in 1930, Fred Cuming studied at Sidcup School of Art from 1945 to 1949 and, having completed his National Service, went on to study at the Royal College of Art from 1951 to 1955, where he gained a Rome Scholarship and an Abbey Minor Scholarship. Cuming's first one-man show was held in 1978 at the Thackeray Gallery, London, and since then he has exhibited regularly in solo shows throughout the UK and more recently in the United States. His work has also been included in many group exhibitions since 1953, and in 2001 he was given the honour of being the featured artist in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, with an entire gallery within the show being dedicated to his work. Among Cuming's many awards are the Grand Prix Fine Art (1977), prize-winner in the Ingot Industrial Competition, the Royal Academy's House & Garden Award and the Sir Brinsley Ford Prize, New English Art Club (1986). His work is held in private collections throughout the world. Cuming was elected Royal Academician in 1974 (ARA 1969) and is also a Member of the New English Art Club and an Associate of the Royal College of Art. He lives and works in East Sussex.