Michael Ayrton: Mythic Flight and Maze-Like Visions Michael Ayrton (1921–1975) was an English artist, writer, sculptor, printmaker, and critic—a polymath whose output spanned diverse mediums and explored profound themes of myth, flight, mirrors, and labyrinths. Born Michael Gould, he adopted his mother’s maiden name professionally, reflecting a lineage steeped in intellectual curiosity and artistic endeavor. His formative years were marked by exposure to influential figures like Wyndham Lewis and Eugène Berman, shaping his aesthetic sensibilities early on. Studying at Heatherley School of Fi…