SCULPTOR Michael Black, who has died aged 90, carved the emperors' heads which stand proudly outside the Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street.

He spent two years creating the replacement busts, the third set installed since the theatre was built in the 1660s.

From his studio near Folly Bridge and latterly in Wytham, Mr Black worked on a number of high profile commissions for national institutions, public collections, university colleges and galleries.

IN PICTURES: The work of Michael Black

He was also known for sculpting the crutched friars in the city of London and busts of former prime ministers Sir Alec Douglas-Home and Sir Harold Macmillan.

The Son of a Vicar, Mr Black was born in Portsmouth in 1928 and grew up in Dorset before moving to Oxford.

He trained as a carver with the sculptor Edgar Frith of Burford in the mid-1950s while he was an undergraduate at St Catherines College.

Working with Mr Frith, he helped restore gargoyles and carvings for many colleges, before working on larger commissions and his own work.

As an artist, he consistently challenged the material with which he worked; creating bold lines, strong curves and a sense of energy.

In 1972, when the Sheldonian heads, known as herms, were unveiled he invited the Headington Quarry Morris Men to dance in a procession, thereby establishing his own May Morning event in Aristotle Lane.

This featured a false Magdalen tower and bells and a sculpted ox pulling a cart with a young May queen, its udders providing home-made elderflower wine. The event continues to this day.

Mr Black's home in Chalfont Road, Jericho, was for more than 60 years an ‘open house’ for fellow artists, musicians and those passing through Oxford.

He also supported younger artists, helping them to learn to carve, cut and shape objects.

In the 1970s with the photographer Theo Bergstrom he collaborated on projects such as ‘A Picture Book of The Thames’.

For this the pair rowed from the source of the River Thames, downstream over three days, while writing and taking photographs.

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Mr Black was married to the painter Jacqueline Black, who died in 2000, and is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren and two great grandsons.

He died on February 14.

A memorial service will be held on March 12 from 2:30pm at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Street, Oxford. No need for black clothing.

Donations in lieu of flowers to The Artists General Benevolent Institution.