Walenty Pytel (1941- ) is a Polish-born contemporary artist based in the United Kingdom, recognised as a leading metal sculptor of birds and beasts.

Because of his blond features, the Nazi authorities kidnapped him from his mother Jadwiga Pytel and had him adopted by a Gestapo officer and his childless wife.

[2] His creations are often inspired by nature and his artworks include the Jubilee Fountain in New Palace Yard, Westminster, a piece titled Take Off which is located at Birmingham Airport and Europe's largest (in 1979) metalwork sculpture, The Fossor, at the headquarters of JCB in Rocester, Staffordshire.

He created Ludlow's first out-of-church public war memorial, commissioned by the local Royal British Legion branch and unveiled in 2000.

Some 5 metres high, situated in Ludlow Square, it consists of a cross with squat upper arms, with two doves of peace rising from near its top.

[10] The piece, depicting a man running in the Futurist style and titled the 4Runner, was unveiled in September 2009 and stands on a 14 feet (4.3 m) plinth outside the entrance of the college's sports and leisure complex.

[12] Afterwards he was persuaded to produce another sculpture for the same location called "The Lark Ascending" An exhibition of Pytel's work, Sparks to Life, was held at Nature in Art, Gloucester, in early 2020.