Adrian Riley (b. Leeds, 1971) is a British
artist and
graphic designer based in
Scarborough, North Yorkshire.[1][2] Riley has created permanent artworks for the public realm across the UK, including work for The
National Trust,
English Heritage,
NHS,
RSPB, and local authorities and arts organisations. Primarily working with words, especially with local residents as co-creators, Riley has also collaborated with writers and poets, including
Simon Armitage,
Ian Duhig, John W. Clarke and Kate Evans.
Riley worked as a designer at
Bradford College and
Leeds Metropolitan University
before forming the multidisciplinary design studio Electric Angel Design in Bradford in 2000. In Bradford he was part of the Atom Studios collective[4] based in a former woollen mill Bradford city centre. He worked on several projects with Artworks Creative Communities including his first
public art - the design of metal gates in West Bowling co-created with the community and commissioned by English Heritage.[5]
In 2003, Riley relocated his studio to Scarborough where he co-founded the practitioners network Creative Coast[6] with local arts organisation Create.
In 2008 he co-presented the town's winning bid for the accolade of 'UK Enterprise Capital',[7] Scarborough went on to win the European Enterprise Awards the same year as the UK's entry with Scarborough's submission packs designed by Electric Angel.[8][9] As a result Riley was invited to represent Scarborough meeting then Prime Minister
Gordon Brown at
Downing Street.[10]
In 2022, Riley contributed to
BBC Radio 4 Today programme series 'Britain's Favourite Beach'[12] with a response that looked at history through Scarborough;s illuminated seafront signage.[13]
Six illuminated text artworks and accompanying audio created from local residents stories and memories marking favourite but uncelebrated town centre locations. Commissioned by ARCADE with Scarborough Town Team in 2023.[16]
100-metre (330-foot) long artwork combining semi-abstract imagery and minimalist poetry inspired by bird migration and sloops of the
Humber. Collaboration with artist Annabel McCourt. Commissioned in 2022 by the
Environment Agency.[citation needed]
A 35-metre (115-foot) long text artwork etched into stone paving weaving together origin myths, residents stories, found text from industrial heritage, poetry and a hopscotch of dates. Part of a £1.8 Million development of St James Square in front of
Grimsby Minster. Commissioned by
North East Lincolnshire Council.[17][18][19]
Commissioned by
Kirklees District Council to create a series of seven large metal wall panels exploring the hopes and dreams of the local community, from young children to retirees. The panels use lettering inspired by the architecture of the town.[21]
Commissioned to design and manufacture artworks for a new sculpture park celebrating the history of
Lenton Priory. The five ‘Priory Park Pillars’ were the result of historical research and workshops with local students. Each feature a medieval inspired pattern and explanatory text telling an aspect of the site’s history.[citation needed]
The result of working with the
RSPB to create permanent artworks across the site and the visitor centre introducing visitors to the calls and song of the birdlife at
Bempton Cliffs.[22]
Reckoning of Time (St. Peter’s Church,
Monkwearmouth)
A series of 12 windows, in collaboration with Rachel Welford, referring to
The Venerable Bede who lived at the twin monasteries of
Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, based on historical research.[23] Manufacturing took place at the
National Glass Centre, located across from the church.[24]
Tidal Word Wave & Water Line (
Bridlington, East Yorkshire)
Collaboration with Rachel Welford to produce two large-scale site-specific typographic artworks on
Bridlington Promenade based on found text and statistical tide data. The artworks form a series of panels fixed to an existing building, and a
balustrade in front new-build structures as part of a £40m development.[citation needed]
A public artwork in the pedestrian underpass linking car parking to the new
Leeds Arena music venue. The artwork features 60 unique typographic panels using song titles from bands and artists associated with the city including the
Scritti Politti and
Tony Christie.[25]
Gallery
'Balancing Act' by Simon Armitage with Adrian Riley at Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire (detail).
St Peters Chapterhouse stained glass windows by Rachel Welford and Adrian Riley (detail)
'Come Follow Me' by Adrian Riley at Grimsby Minster
Phonetic birdsong panels by Adrian Riley at RSPB Bempton
Tidal Wordwave artwork by Adrian Riley and Rachel Welford