Harold Riley, Every Line is Me

Every Line is Me by Harold Riley,

at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

An exhibition of works by an artist I had not come across before.  I really liked some of his work. He is the only artist that Melson Mandella sat for!

Riley was born in Salford in 1934. He won scholarships to complete his studies in Spain and Italy. He completed his National Service as an officer in 1957 after which he returned to live and work in Salford. On his return he re-established his longstanding friendship with fellow Salford artist LS Lowry, who he first met at school. He completed numerous studies of Lowry.

He was commissioned to paint many famous people, popes, Nelson Mandela and many sporting legends. He was a passionate Manchester United supporter, and loved golf. He is considered by many to be the greatest and most prolific golf artist of all time.

The Street, (oil on canvas)

'I played with pictures of streets. I can't tell if it's going ju or going down, some think it's going down to the sea, or rising up to the hills. I like to play this trick; I find it interesting'.

Night and Rooftops, 1977, (oil on canvas)

Alleyway I, (oil on canvas)

Alleyway II, (oil on canvas)

Pawn Shop, 1964, (oil on canvas)

The Knocker Upper, 1963, (oil on canvas)

Slade Diploma Portrait, 1957, (oil on canvas)

Slade Diploma Portrait: Woman and Chair, 1957, (oil on canvas)

Meths Drinker, (oil on canvas)

Head of a Man, (oil on canvas)

Lowry Walking on Swinton Moss, (oil on canvas)

Mandela Study 4, 1996, (mixed media)

'He and I got together for a series of studies and eventually I painted his portrait. It sold in New York City in a gallery above 5th Avenue for well over £1 million. All the money went to children in the townships. My experience of spending time with him was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm the only one he ever sat for. He had a magical charisma: you can't paint charisma it's a magical energy. 

He loved art. A lot of people didn't realise he painted'.

Sebastian Coe, 1986, (oil on canvas)