‘It keeps me in touch with life’: The London artist still working at 103

Some might think that your average centenarian would be content to sit back and take it easy after a long life.

But not south London painter Anthony Eyton.

He may have turned 103 last weekend, but he is busy preparing for this year’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition – the world’s oldest open submission exhibition.

Eyton, from Brixton, has seen his work exhibited all over the world, including at Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Imperial War Museum.

He says creating paintings gives him satisfaction.

“It’s what I do, I’m never happier than when I’m putting paint on… it’s the only thing I can do and it keeps me in touch with life,” he says.