Adams was born in London in 1927. He studied at the Harrow School of Art and then the Royal College of Art. Adams had his first solo exhibition at Gimpel Fils in 1952. He won a commission for the Stations of the Cross for the RC Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Milton Keynes. This theme has interested the artist throughout his life and he has said his work was concerned with his religious beliefs, or lack of them. He exhibited several Stations at the RA Summer Exhibition in 2002. Between 1962 and 1970, Adams was Professor of Painting an Keeper at the Manchester College of Art and was Professor of Fine Art at Newcastle University. Between 1981-86 he was Professor of Painting and Keeper at the Royal Academy and he was elected RA in 1972. The Tate Gallery holds his work. Adam’s watercolours have always has a translucent quality, exemplified by bold handling and colour contrasts. Throughout the 80’s he regularly visited Provence and produced some of his most exuberant work. Died 2005.