SALFORD PAYS TRIBUTE TO ONE OF IT'S FINEST SONS - HAROLD RILEY

Salford City Council are amongst countless others who have paid tribute to local artist and celebrated son of Salford, Harold Riley, after hearing of his passing. As we reported yesterday, Salford Council was quick to lower the flag above the Civic Centre as it paid tribute to one of our cities finest sons.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“It is with great sadness that I have recently heard of the passing of Harold Riley. The flag at Salford Civic Centre has been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for one of this city’s most famous sons and treasured artists. 

“In Salford we are incredibly lucky to have been blessed with two of Britain’s foremost artists of the 20th century – Harold Riley and L.S. Lowry, who were friends for 30 years, charting over 100 years of the social history of Salford through their art. Salford gave L.S. Lowry the freedom of the city in 1965 and 52 years later Harold Riley also followed his friend and accepted this prestigious honour.

“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Harold for all he has done for our great city, he had the true Spirit of Salford with a deep love for the people, communities and an unwavering commitment to his city, Salford.

“Harold was a humble eloquent man with a great sense of humour and with the ability to put everyone at ease particularly through his many stories about his life in Salford and wider experiences travelling the world as an artist.

“Harold was a very generous man contributing to numerous good causes across the City over his lifetime. The list is long, but to name just one, Harold donated 100 original works to Salford Royal Hospital along with 100 prints of these works that are now on display around the hospital to support patients and staff.

“He will be sorely missed, and Salford is very much the worse for his passing – Rest in Peace Harold.”

 

Tom Stannard, Chief Executive at Salford City Council said: 

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“Harold was a renowned artist, known throughout the world but he remained devoted to his home city. He was given the Freedom of Salford in 2017 and after the ceremony had the opportunity to drive a small flock of sheep up the Crescent.”

Harold sold his first painting in the City Art Gallery when he was just 11 years old. And from this he went on to  receive recognition from across the world for commissioned portraits of princes, popes and presidents, including Nelson Mandela, Prince Phillip and John F Kennedy.

Nelson Mandela had six lengthy sittings with Harold over 18 months in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The portrait he created was unveiled in 2005 and raised more than $1m for South African children’s charities at auction in New York.

Some of Harold’s work is currently on display at Salford Museum and Art Gallery whom made the following statement:

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At Salford Museum & Art Gallery, we are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Salford artist Harold Riley. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

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. Born in Salford in 1934, he sold his first painting to the museum aged 11, a sale engineered by his friend L S Lowry, and the museum then went on to purchase other works over the years as he became world-famous.

As well as painting well-known figures, 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, popping in frequently as he worked from his nearby studio.

In 2017, Harold Riley was given the freedom of Salford, honouring the creative and cultural impact he has made on his home city.

We are honoured to hold a number of Harold’s works in our collection and even more so to have some pieces currently on display as part of our exhibition ‘Exploring the Collection’, which is open until 30th April.

Harold will be greatly missed.

 

Meanwhile, Art of Salford organiser Tony Easom said:

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We have always admired his work.

I often visited the shop at the Lowry Outlet, which served as a gallery for his work.

He once did a doodle for Janet, Lisa's sister and my sister in law whilst shopping at the Lowry at a shop she worked at We met him only once at the opening of The Tea'osk in Lightoaks Park, where we were also the first customers with our grandson, Nick, he was very engaging with everyone at the event.

A truely loved Salford gentleman and recognised artist throughout our city and beyond, he will be sadly missed by so many.

 

Fellow, Salford Artist, Broady, told us:

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Harold Riley was such an influence not just on my art but the way I thought about Salford.

His pictures had a warmth and a love of a city that was undergoing a great social and cultural change with most of Victorian Salford being bulldozed in the great slum clearance programme which not only swept away all our architecture and terraced streets but it swept away a lot of the family and friends and local characters that brought those places to life.

I was fortunate enough to meet Harold and chat with him a few times over recent years and he was such a lovely man, a real gentleman.

He oozed a love of Salford and its people and always took the time to chat about his pictures, Lowry and life in Salford.

I will really miss just knowing he's around, sat in his gallery chatting to visitors and scribbling little drawings. He is up there with Lowry and is part of Salford's heritage. My sincerest condolences go to all his family in particular his daughter Kate at this sad time.