Influences in art.

It is evident in the artwork of Northern Irish artist, Terry Bradley that his art work is very much in response to harsh realities and emotional ties in his life.

Belfast born Terry Bradley, born in 1965, is said to be one of Ireland’s most sought after artists. He started to paint full-time in the mid 90’s, focusing his eye on strong confident women, a subject matter he continues to find compelling and inspiring. Many of these women are taken from the modelling and fashion world. They reflect the two sides of Terry’s life - hard images of an after-dark nightlife in the city’s clubs and bars and a more gentle view of women after a dance performance. The two sides reflect the conflict in Bradley’s personality and art, with his self-confessed manic, dark side at odds with calmer more gentle periods.

Bradley says, '‘ in a way you could say that the first part of my life was the reason behind the second part. I earned the second part of my life; it was such a turn around from the first!’’

Bradley has more recently brought his attention to his own country, depicting characters based on Ireland’s hardworking docker industry around Belfast. He continues to exude vibrant colours, purposeful brushwork and exuberant scenarios in all his art work.

The main reason to why I believe the work of Terry Bradley is so popular with the public is because it is so different to normality. People enjoy enigma. They enjoy a cliff hanger, whether it is from a good book, film or a television series. I believe that the painting to the left is a true reflection of enigma. The numerous colours involved in the painting inject enigma into the painting. Not only does the colour add form and define shape into the painting, but the excessive of what seems like an addiction of colour by Terry Bradley, produces a totally new feeling from the painting.

Within the face of the painting, the thick black line makes a point of emphasising and defining the distinctive cheekbone. It is by this process of exaggeration that the artist has accomplished his aim, as the work is sharp and creative. It is obvious that the painter’s ability to deliver paintings of true quality is a testament to his talent. The colour black used boldly in the cheekbone is imitated within the tattoos shown. 

It is obvious that the female in the painting is trying to be portrayed as a conventional ‘femme fatale’ character as she is performing a seductive pose; however the tattoos challenge this stereotype as these types of tattoos are conventionally found on males. This again emphasises the level of enigma within the painting, therefore causing a large interest with the public. It can be understood that the character that Terry Bradley has based this painting on is a woman who wears a lot of make up. What I noticed from this is that the colours involved are used to over-emphasise the make up already on the face which allows us to understand that the painting involves both reality and imagination.  

This combination of reality and imagination is what I believe enhances the work of Terry Bradley, allowing it to stand out in the minds of the target audience.

The colour choice is excitingly vibrant and the colours used compliment each other so well, suggesting that the female’s face and attitude are very complimentary. Or contrastingly, Terry Bradley could be subtly aiming to portray her in this light. This goes to show that colour can be used to mould and produce many different emotions and atmospheres.