John Hoskin first began his artistic career on his return from Germany following service in the British Army during the Second World War. His acquaintance, the artist Terry Frost, had initially encouraged Hoskin to explore his interest in the arts. On hitch-hiking to the artistic centre of St Ives, Hoskin was offered a lift by Frost himself purely through coincidence. By the end of their journey to Cornwall, Hoskin was set on becoming a sculptor; he later stated that it was as if ‘up until my journey, my life had been playing out of tune.’

Hoskin began his career as a sculptor in earnest in the early 1950s, initially working in metal. His artistic presence rose quickly, and he soon became considered to be one of the most noted British sculptors of his time. The artist enjoyed several exhibitions throughout his career, with significant solo shows held at the Grosvenor and Matthiesen Galleries in the 1960s. His work was known for its vast variety, and the artist constantly explored new forms of sculpture in his work. Hoskin’s work remains in the collections of the Tate, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Arts Council Collection.