Adrian Riley

Riley was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1971 and grew up in Pudsey close to the border with Bradford. He attended Pudsey Grangefield School and then studied graphic design at Leeds Arts University graduating in 1990.{{Cite web |title=Leeds Arts University Homepage {{!}} Leeds Arts University |url=https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=www.leeds-art.ac.uk |language=en}}

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{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordonline.co.uk/info/654/|title=Atom Studios|website=Bradford Online}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-06 |title=English Heritage Home Page |url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=English Heritage}}

In 2003, Riley relocated his studio to Scarborough where he co-founded the practitioners network Creative Coast{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/business/awards/profiles/8299505.electric-angel-design/|title=Bssiness Awards - Electric Angel Design|website=York Press|date=29 July 2010 }} with local arts organisation Create.

In 2008 he co-presented the town's winning bid for the accolade of 'UK Enterprise Capital',{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0900a8ca-9ef6-11dd-98bd-000077b07658|title=Scarborough's revival marked by top award|website=www.ft.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4369429.scarborough-named-enterprising-town-europe/|title=Scarborough named most enterprising town in Europe|date=May 14, 2009|website=The Northern Echo}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4371388.scarboroughs-new-look-draws-praise/|title=Scarborough's new look draws praise|date=May 15, 2009|website=York Press}} As a result Riley was invited to represent Scarborough meeting then Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4455714.bradford-businessman-hailed-as-entrepreneur/|title=Designer Adrian honoured by PM|date=June 24, 2009|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}

In 2005, Electric Angel Design recreated the logo for The Boys' Brigade.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-bulletin-nn90jw9n7cx|title=The bulletin|date=February 8, 2024|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}

In 2022, Riley contributed to BBC Radio 4 Today programme series 'Britain's Favourite Beach'{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0chdns6 | title=BBC Radio 4 - Best of Today, What makes a British beach special? | date=27 June 2022 }} with a response that looked at history through Scarborough;s illuminated seafront signage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mixcloud.com/designforlife/a-typographic-love-letter-to-scarborough/|title=Mixcloud|website=www.mixcloud.com}}

Riley's work in the public realm includes the following:

• Words in the Landscape (Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire)
• : A series of artworks on a circular route at Sutton Bank, commissioned in 2024 by The North York Moors National Park. The work consists of four new artworks including poems by William Wordsworth, Ian Duhig and Charlotte Oliver, and encourages visitors to explore the landscape from the perspective of birds.{{cite news|title=New partnership lights a beacon for North York Moors arts and culture |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/about-us/press-office/press-releases/new-partnership-lights-a-beacon-for-north-york-moors-arts-and-culture |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=North York Moors National Park |date=25 October 2024}}
• Balancing Act (Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire)
• : Collaboration with the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, and stone carver Richard Dawson at The National Trust Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of Brimham Rocks. Commissioned in 2023 by The National Trust.https://www.itv.com/watch/news/balancing-act-simon-armitages-latest-poem-honours-yorkshire-beauty-spot/n28335d/{{cite news |last1=Audsley |first1=Natasha |title='Mythical or pieces of an alien landscape'- Yorkshire's Simon Armitage poem carved into stone at Brimham Rocks |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/mythical-or-pieces-of-an-alien-landscape-yorkshires-simon-armitage-poem-carved-into-stone-at-brimham-rocks-4193145 |access-date=12 February 2024 |work=Harrogate Advertiser |date=22 June 2023}}
• Signs of the Times (Scarborough)
• : Six illuminated text artworks and accompanying audio created from local residents stories and memories marking favourite but uncelebrated town centre locations. Commissioned by Scarborough-based arts organisation ARCADE with Scarborough Town Team in 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://lancashiretimes.co.uk/article/A-Locally-Inspired-Illuminated-Trail-In-An-Illuminated-Town|title=A Locally Inspired, Illuminated Trail In An Illuminated Town!|first=Lancashire|last=Times|website=Lancashire Times}}
• The Migrating Zoetrope (Hull)
• : {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/migrating-zoetrope-341947|title=Migrating Zoetrope|website=Art UK}}
• Come Follow Me (Grimsby)
• : A {{convert|35|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/historic-heart-grimsby-st-james-5468914|title=Historic heart of Grimsby re-opened to public after £1.8m makeover|newspaper=Grimsby Live |date=May 28, 2021|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.grimsbycreates.co.uk/st-james-square/|title=St James' Square}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-63082203|title=North East Lincolnshire Council seeks expert to develop public spaces|date=September 30, 2022|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}
• Walls Have Ears (Dewsbury){{Cite web|url=https://staging.godewsbury.uk/2021/05/17/walls-have-ears/|title=Walls Have Ears|date=May 17, 2021}}
• : 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/people/adrians-artwork-breathes-new-life-into-dewsbury-bus-station-3231376|title=Adrian's artwork breathes new life into Dewsbury bus station}}
• Priory Park Pillars (Nottingham)
• : 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.{{cn|date=February 2024}}
• Birdsong (RSPB Bempton, East Yorkshire)
• : 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.{{Cite web|url=https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/bemptoncliffs/b/bemptoncliffs-blog/posts/art-on-the-cliff-tops|title=Art on the cliff tops - Bempton Cliffs - Bempton Cliffs - The RSPB Community|website=community.rspb.org.uk|date=31 March 2017 }}
• 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/chapter-house-windows/|title=Chapter House & Windows – St. Peter's, Wearmouth}} Manufacturing took place at the National Glass Centre, located across from the church.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stained-glass-goes-full-circle-12876347|title=Stained glass goes full circle as St Peter's restoration project completed|first=Tony|last=Henderson|date=April 11, 2017|website=Chronicle Live}}
• 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.{{cn|date=February 2024}}
• Song Tunnel (Leeds City Centre)
• : 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 Scritti Politti and Tony Christie. URL=https://www.jeffchristie.com/facts.html

File:Balancing Act detail - Simon Armitage and Adrian Riley.jpg|alt=Detail of the artwork 'Balancing Act' by Simon Armitage with Adrian RIley at Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire|'Balancing Act' by Simon Armitage with Adrian Riley at Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire (detail).

File:St Peters Chapterhouse - Rachel Welford and Adrian Riley.jpg|alt=A detail of St Peters Chapterhouse stained glass windows by Rachel Welford and Adrian Riley|St Peters Chapterhouse stained glass windows by Rachel Welford and Adrian Riley (detail)

File:Come_follow_me_-_Adrian_RIley.jpg|alt=Photograph of 'Come Follow Me' by Adrian Riley at Grimsby Minster|'Come Follow Me' by Adrian Riley at Grimsby Minster

File:Phonetic birdsong panels by Adrian Riley at RSPB Bempton.jpg|alt=Photograph of phonetic birdsong panels by artist Adrian Riley at RSPB Bempton|Phonetic birdsong panels by Adrian Riley at RSPB Bempton

File:Tidal Wordwave - Riley-Welford.jpg|alt=Photograph of 'Tidal Wordwave' glass artwork in Bridlington by Adrian Riley and Rachel Welford|Tidal Wordwave artwork by Adrian Riley and Rachel Welford

• 2013: Leeds Architecture Award - commended{{cite web |url=https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/ |title=Feathership |author= |website=norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk |access-date=2024-02-13}}
• 2016: Northern Design Awards for St. Peter's, Monkwearmouth - winner{{cite web |url=https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/ |title=Feathership |author= |website=norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk |access-date=2024-02-13}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.electricangel.co.uk/ Adrian Riley / Electric Angel Design] Portfolio of work
• [https://artuk.org/discover/artists/riley-adrian-b-1971/ Adrian RIley : Art UK] Adrian Riley on ArtUK database of publicly owned art in UK
• [http://railwayart.com/ Scarborough-Whitby Old Railway Line Art Project] Website documenting the research and creation of public artwork on the National Cycle Network

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Category:British artists

Category:British graphic designers

Category:Living people

Category:1971 births

Category:20th-century births

Category:Artists from Leeds

Category:Alumni of Leeds Arts University

Category:People from Pudsey