Born in Scotland to Italian parents, Paolozzi attended evening classes at the Edinburgh College of Art and studied at St. Martin’s School of Art, later transferring to London’s Slade School of Art, where he graduated in 1947. He subsequently moved to Paris for three years, where he became involved in Dadaism and Surrealism. In 1950, Paolozzi returned to London, quickly becoming a leading member of the Independent Group.

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A significant member of the Group, Paolozzi greatly influenced the development of Pop Art. He emerged fully onto the scene in 1962 with abstract, robot-like figures such as "Four Towers" and "Solo", but of all his work his screenprints are said to have had the largest impact on Pop Art. He taught across the world as a guest professor and lecturer. He was knighted in 1988. He enjoyed continuing acclaim in the years before his death in 2005.