Salford Museum and Art Gallery is asking people to send in any copies of original Harold Riley sketches for an upcoming exhibition.
The exhibition Every Line of Me: A Celebration of Harold Riley will be in collaboration with Riley’s family to honour his life through his encapsulating and inquisitive paintings, drawings, digital fusions, and photography.
A gallery spokesperson said: “Harold has been a huge part of Salford Museum & Art Gallery over the years, not only through his wonderful personality but also in his artistic contribution.
“He spent much of his time recording the lives of people in Salford, and the significant changes to the city, through painting, photography and drawing.
“This love for Salford was reflected in his work and he enjoyed close links with the museum over the years.”
Riley was born and bred in Salford, as was his artwork. He sold his first piece at the age of 11 to the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, through the help of fellow artist and friend L.S Lowry. From then on he spent the rest of his life invested in his artwork until he died in April 2023.
His sparks of creativity were often drawn on whatever he could get his hands on such as scraps of paper, receipts and napkins.
These little sketches, that he gave out to the community, were an expression of his human connection with the public. His family believes they tell a big part of his story.
The spokesperson said Riley often visited Salford art gallery.
Any copies of original Harold Riley sketches should be send to exhibitions@scll.co.uk.
The exhibition will be featured on the museum’s website and continuously added to throughout 2024, to celebrate the impact Riley had on so many people across the world.
Featured image licensed under David Dixon, Geograph.
One Comment