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Summer

2024

Story Behind The Painting

‘Summer’ was painted in Malaga in early 2024. She is taken from a series of strong, confident women, reflecting the image of women as confident and resilient, women who are indispensable to the economic survival of their families and communities.

Over the past two decades Terry has been spending more and more time in Spain and now visits as often as he can. He finds that the anonymity of being away from Belfast helps him deal with his anxiety and depression and the pressure, perceived or otherwise, that he associates with his hometown. He often takes a notebook or sketch pad with him when he visits the coffee shops and likes to make notes and quick sketches of the people around him.

As Terry has developed as an artist he has realised that his basic shyness has increased the more he becomes recognized. Being away helps him to become the voyeur he wants to be and enables him to sit and observe people without interruption.

'Summer' reflects this relaxed and uncomplicated mood. The model herself is calm and unstressed. Her gaze is direct and honest, and although there are faint tear stains they are indistinct and not immediately obvious. The strong lines and bright colours are further evidence that this is Terry at his most confident. The lack of birds also sends a message, Terry is projecting who he is and can be when he can escape his past and immerse himself in a different world.

About Terry Bradley

Born in Belfast in 1965, Terry Bradley grew up during The Troubles and found a form of escapism in art. He discovered how drawing calmed his nerves and he was able to lose himself in the complexities of observing people and then recreating them on paper. Bradley’s work often features strong characters who have lived hard lives and show the wounds they carry. Broken noses, scars and tattoos on the men and streaked make up and tear stains on the women, Bradley’s subjects show their vulnerabilities, yet their look remains defiant and challenging.

Terry’s willingness to discuss his mental health struggles and how he uses artwork as a form of therapy has attracted many to his work and created a community within his followers. The breakdown of barriers creates a sense of safety for many, giving them space to feel heard, while offering hope for the future and a reminder to ‘Never Give Up’, a message at the heart of Terry’s brand. This has developed from his personal mantra into a message that he has chosen to recreate onto a wristband that is available for free online and from both his Belfast and Bangor galleries. Featuring original art works, limited edition canvases, giclee prints and now a range of high end furniture pieces, Bradley’s two dedicated galleries in Ireland attract thousands of visitors a year who travel from all over the world to see his art in person. His striking pieces have developed a cult following with many adding his art to themselves permanently with stunning Bradley tattoos and there have been themed Bradley weddings and birthdays.

In 2023 Bradley launched the first Bradley Art Prize with entries from 14-23 year olds. The winners had the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Bradley Gallery as well as the European Union. In 2023 and again in 2024, Titanic Belfast, the world renowned visitor attraction which is located on the spot where the famous ship was designed, built and launched, asked Terry to create an exhibition as part of their summer customer experience. The exhibition included a full Bradley immersive experience.

Bradley is married with three children and paints and lives between Northern Ireland and Spain. 

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For more info on Terry Bradley visit www.terrybradley.com