Adrian Riley

<h2 id="early-life-and-education">Early life and education</h2>
Riley was born in <a href="/facts/Leeds/YVPtUCt1">Leeds</a>, West Yorkshire in 1971 and grew up in <a href="/facts/Pudsey/QDTWL9Gz">Pudsey</a> close to the border with <a href="/facts/Bradford/0u0XRyI7">Bradford</a>. He attended <a href="/facts/Pudsey_Grangefield_School/bCYmmXHa">Pudsey Grangefield School</a> and then studied graphic design at <a href="/facts/Leeds_Arts_University/Nv5QWeDG">Leeds Arts University</a> graduating in 1990.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a>

<h2 id="career">Career</h2>
Riley worked as a designer at <a href="/facts/Bradford_College/qYg9XsLQ">Bradford College</a> and <a href="/facts/Leeds_Metropolitan_University/2MUxJM8w">Leeds Metropolitan University</a>
before forming the multidisciplinary design studio Electric Angel Design in Bradford in 2000. In Bradford he was part of the Atom Studios collective<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> based in a former woollen mill Bradford city centre. He worked on several projects with Artworks Creative Communities including his first <a href="/facts/Public_art/CAn4Me9w">public art</a> - the design of metal gates in West Bowling co-created with the community and commissioned by English Heritage.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a>
In 2003, Riley relocated his studio to Scarborough where he co-founded the practitioners network Creative Coast<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> with local arts organisation Create.
In 2008 he co-presented the town's winning bid for the accolade of 'UK Enterprise Capital',<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> As a result Riley was invited to represent Scarborough meeting then Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Gordon_Brown/kG8lHq8C">Gordon Brown</a> at <a href="/facts/Downing_Street/GLPUaSvt">Downing Street</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a>
In 2005, Electric Angel Design recreated the logo for <a href="/facts/The_Boys%2527_Brigade/fdv1BX8F">The Boys' Brigade</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>
In 2022, Riley contributed to <a href="/facts/BBC_Radio_4_Today/06wnbS0e">BBC Radio 4 Today</a> programme series 'Britain's Favourite Beach'<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> with a response that looked at history through Scarborough;s illuminated seafront signage.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>

<h3>Public artworks</h3>
Riley's work in the public realm includes the following:

<ul><li>Words in the Landscape (Sutton Bank, <a href="/facts/North_Yorkshire/xDnk6nWB">North Yorkshire</a>)
A series of artworks on a circular route at <a href="/facts/Sutton_Bank/YQxgTSs5">Sutton Bank</a>, commissioned in 2024 by The <a href="/facts/North_York_Moors/1vg8LXcP">North York Moors</a> National Park. The work consists of four new artworks including poems by <a href="/facts/William_Wordsworth/ISecKTd9">William Wordsworth</a>, <a href="/facts/Ian_Duhig/8yNsjBwI">Ian Duhig</a> and Charlotte Oliver, and encourages visitors to explore the landscape from the perspective of birds.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a></li>
<li>Balancing Act (Brimham Rocks, <a href="/facts/North_Yorkshire/xDnk6nWB">North Yorkshire</a>)
Collaboration with the <a href="/facts/Poet_Laureate_of_the_United_Kingdom/86FzQU9q">Poet Laureate</a>, <a href="/facts/Simon_Armitage/S3VKX4Sz">Simon Armitage</a>, and stone carver Richard Dawson at The National Trust Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of <a href="/facts/Brimham_Rocks/pawBFdyj">Brimham Rocks</a>. Commissioned in 2023 by <a href="/facts/The_National_Trust/vrXTp6Y6">The National Trust</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a></li>
<li>Signs of the Times (<a href="/facts/Scarborough%2c_North_Yorkshire/h65pc7he">Scarborough</a>)
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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a></li>
<li>The Migrating Zoetrope (<a href="/facts/Hull%2c_England/8yMvTEcM">Hull</a>)
100-metre (330-foot) long artwork combining semi-abstract imagery and minimalist poetry inspired by bird migration and sloops of the <a href="/facts/Humber/SJgJnnmH">Humber</a>. Collaboration with artist Annabel McCourt. Commissioned in 2022 by the <a href="/facts/Environment_Agency/B1RNS01A">Environment Agency</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a></li>
<li>Come Follow Me (<a href="/facts/Grimsby/cbqFWXR0">Grimsby</a>)
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 <a href="/facts/Grimsby_Minster/0Qa1rm2n">Grimsby Minster</a>. Commissioned by <a href="/facts/North_East_Lincolnshire_Council/Jr7Sv6ky">North East Lincolnshire Council</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a></li>
<li>Walls Have Ears (<a href="/facts/Dewsbury/w1mwu0Nv">Dewsbury</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a>
Commissioned by <a href="/facts/Kirklees/HTQxsnjv">Kirklees</a> 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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a></li>
<li>Priory Park Pillars (<a href="/facts/Nottingham/7NmKsSUg">Nottingham</a>)
Commissioned to design and manufacture artworks for a new sculpture park celebrating the history of <a href="/facts/Lenton_Priory/VFc38ldG">Lenton Priory</a>. 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.</li>
<li>Birdsong (<a href="/facts/Royal_Society_for_the_Protection_of_Birds/8PXnQdxY">RSPB</a> <a href="/facts/Bempton/XkbQJlIb">Bempton</a>, East Yorkshire)
The result of working with the <a href="/facts/Royal_Society_for_the_Protection_of_Birds/8PXnQdxY">RSPB</a> to create permanent artworks across the site and the visitor centre introducing visitors to the calls and song of the birdlife at <a href="/facts/Bempton_Cliffs/eMTMRJJG">Bempton Cliffs</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a></li>
<li>Reckoning of Time (St. Peter's Church, <a href="/facts/Monkwearmouth/rE7gpakj">Monkwearmouth</a>)
A series of 12 windows, in collaboration with Rachel Welford, referring to <a href="/facts/The_Venerable_Bede/y9yWnIua">The Venerable Bede</a> who lived at the twin monasteries of <a href="/facts/Monkwearmouth-Jarrow/U7vDzDVT">Monkwearmouth-Jarrow</a>, based on historical research.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> Manufacturing took place at the <a href="/facts/National_Glass_Centre/PJ8wSJpJ">National Glass Centre</a>, located across from the church.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a></li>
<li>Tidal Word Wave & Water Line (<a href="/facts/Bridlington/kYjwztoQ">Bridlington</a>, East Yorkshire)
Collaboration with Rachel Welford to produce two large-scale site-specific typographic artworks on <a href="/facts/Bridlington/kYjwztoQ">Bridlington</a> Promenade based on found text and statistical tide data. The artworks form a series of panels fixed to an existing building, and a <a href="/facts/Balustrade/jFn3tFD1">balustrade</a> in front new-build structures as part of a £40m development.</li>
<li>Song Tunnel (<a href="/facts/Leeds%2c_England/YVPtUCt1">Leeds City Centre</a>)
A public artwork in the pedestrian underpass linking car parking to the new <a href="/facts/Leeds_Arena/eTKxQPJA">Leeds Arena</a> music venue. The artwork features 60 unique typographic panels using song titles from bands and artists associated with the city including <a href="/facts/Scritti_Politti/KjLTnyjV">Scritti Politti</a> and <a href="/facts/Tony_Christie/TDvcSu89">Tony Christie</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2>

<h3>Awards</h3>
<ul><li>2013: Leeds Architecture Award - commended<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a></li>
<li>2016: Northern Design Awards for St. Peter's, <a href="/facts/Monkwearmouth/rE7gpakj">Monkwearmouth</a> - winner<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.electricangel.co.uk/">Adrian Riley / Electric Angel Design</a> Portfolio of work</li>
<li><a href="https://artuk.org/discover/artists/riley-adrian-b-1971/">Adrian RIley : Art UK</a> Adrian Riley on ArtUK database of publicly owned art in UK</li>
<li><a href="http://railwayart.com/">Scarborough-Whitby Old Railway Line Art Project</a> Website documenting the research and creation of public artwork on the National Cycle Network</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">"Artist Interview: Adrian Riley". Behind The Artist. <a href="https://behindtheartist.co.uk/artist-interviews/artist-interview-adrian-riley" target="_blank">https://behindtheartist.co.uk/artist-interviews/artist-interview-adrian-riley</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Harrison, Kate (July 27, 2022). "Walk This Way – Artist Interview Adrian Riley". <a href="https://thresholdstudios.tv/walk-this-way-artist-interview-adrian-riley/" target="_blank">https://thresholdstudios.tv/walk-this-way-artist-interview-adrian-riley/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Leeds Arts University Homepage | Leeds Arts University". www.leeds-art.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-12. <a href="https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Atom Studios". Bradford Online. <a href="https://www.bradfordonline.co.uk/info/654/" target="_blank">https://www.bradfordonline.co.uk/info/654/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"English Heritage Home Page". English Heritage. 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2024-02-12. <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"Bssiness Awards - Electric Angel Design". York Press. 29 July 2010. <a href="https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/business/awards/profiles/8299505.electric-angel-design/" target="_blank">https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/business/awards/profiles/8299505.electric-angel-design/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"Scarborough's revival marked by top award". www.ft.com. <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/0900a8ca-9ef6-11dd-98bd-000077b07658" target="_blank">https://www.ft.com/content/0900a8ca-9ef6-11dd-98bd-000077b07658</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"Scarborough named most enterprising town in Europe". The Northern Echo. May 14, 2009. <a href="https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4369429.scarborough-named-enterprising-town-europe/" target="_blank">https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4369429.scarborough-named-enterprising-town-europe/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"Scarborough's new look draws praise". York Press. May 15, 2009. <a href="https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4371388.scarboroughs-new-look-draws-praise/" target="_blank">https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4371388.scarboroughs-new-look-draws-praise/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"Designer Adrian honoured by PM". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. June 24, 2009. <a href="https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4455714.bradford-businessman-hailed-as-entrepreneur/" target="_blank">https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4455714.bradford-businessman-hailed-as-entrepreneur/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"The bulletin". February 8, 2024 – via www.thetimes.co.uk. <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-bulletin-nn90jw9n7cx" target="_blank">https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-bulletin-nn90jw9n7cx</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"BBC Radio 4 - Best of Today, What makes a British beach special?". 27 June 2022. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0chdns6" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0chdns6</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Mixcloud". www.mixcloud.com. <a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/designforlife/a-typographic-love-letter-to-scarborough/" target="_blank">https://www.mixcloud.com/designforlife/a-typographic-love-letter-to-scarborough/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"New partnership lights a beacon for North York Moors arts and culture". North York Moors National Park. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2025. <a href="https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/about-us/press-office/press-releases/new-partnership-lights-a-beacon-for-north-york-moors-arts-and-culture" target="_blank">https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/about-us/press-office/press-releases/new-partnership-lights-a-beacon-for-north-york-moors-arts-and-culture</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">https://www.itv.com/watch/news/balancing-act-simon-armitages-latest-poem-honours-yorkshire-beauty-spot/n28335d/ <a href="https://www.itv.com/watch/news/balancing-act-simon-armitages-latest-poem-honours-yorkshire-beauty-spot/n28335d/" target="_blank">https://www.itv.com/watch/news/balancing-act-simon-armitages-latest-poem-honours-yorkshire-beauty-spot/n28335d/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Audsley, Natasha (22 June 2023). "'Mythical or pieces of an alien landscape'- Yorkshire's Simon Armitage poem carved into stone at Brimham Rocks". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 12 February 2024. <a href="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" target="_blank">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</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Times, Lancashire. "A Locally Inspired, Illuminated Trail In An Illuminated Town!". Lancashire Times. <a href="https://lancashiretimes.co.uk/article/A-Locally-Inspired-Illuminated-Trail-In-An-Illuminated-Town" target="_blank">https://lancashiretimes.co.uk/article/A-Locally-Inspired-Illuminated-Trail-In-An-Illuminated-Town</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Migrating Zoetrope". Art UK. <a href="https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/migrating-zoetrope-341947" target="_blank">https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/migrating-zoetrope-341947</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Historic heart of Grimsby re-opened to public after £1.8m makeover". Grimsby Live. May 28, 2021 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk. <a href="https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/historic-heart-grimsby-st-james-5468914" target="_blank">https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/historic-heart-grimsby-st-james-5468914</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">"St James' Square". <a href="https://www.grimsbycreates.co.uk/st-james-square/" target="_blank">https://www.grimsbycreates.co.uk/st-james-square/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"North East Lincolnshire Council seeks expert to develop public spaces". September 30, 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-63082203" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-63082203</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">"Walls Have Ears". May 17, 2021. <a href="https://staging.godewsbury.uk/2021/05/17/walls-have-ears/" target="_blank">https://staging.godewsbury.uk/2021/05/17/walls-have-ears/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"Adrian's artwork breathes new life into Dewsbury bus station". <a href="https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/people/adrians-artwork-breathes-new-life-into-dewsbury-bus-station-3231376" target="_blank">https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/people/adrians-artwork-breathes-new-life-into-dewsbury-bus-station-3231376</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Art on the cliff tops - Bempton Cliffs - Bempton Cliffs - The RSPB Community". community.rspb.org.uk. 31 March 2017. <a href="https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/bemptoncliffs/b/bemptoncliffs-blog/posts/art-on-the-cliff-tops" target="_blank">https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/bemptoncliffs/b/bemptoncliffs-blog/posts/art-on-the-cliff-tops</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"Chapter House & Windows – St. Peter's, Wearmouth". <a href="https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/chapter-house-windows/" target="_blank">https://www.stpeters-wearmouth.org.uk/chapter-house-windows/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">Henderson, Tony (April 11, 2017). "Stained glass goes full circle as St Peter's restoration project completed". Chronicle Live. <a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stained-glass-goes-full-circle-12876347" target="_blank">http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stained-glass-goes-full-circle-12876347</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">URL=https://www.jeffchristie.com/facts.html
 <a href="https://www.jeffchristie.com/facts.html" target="_blank">https://www.jeffchristie.com/facts.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">"Feathership". norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-13. <a href="https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/" target="_blank">https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">"Feathership". norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-13. <a href="https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/" target="_blank">https://norfolkwayarttrail.co.uk/artists/feathership/</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Adrian Riley open-in-new

Adrian Riley