Renowned local artist Terry Bradley has officially opened a new gallery space in Belfast’s prestigious Victoria Square, cementing a five-year lease with the premier shopping centre to 2027.
The expansive new space will display an expanded collection of iconic Bradley artwork whilst also providing space for a range of new community initiatives aimed at connecting more people with art and encouraging young creatives.
Located on Victoria Square’s Upper Ground Floor, the new Bradley Gallery is the artist’s second city gallery opening, following the launch of the flagship Bangor High Street space in 2018.
The extensive 1,200 sq. ft area is adorned with a wide range of Terry’s original artwork, limited edition canvases and paper prints set within a bright and edgy space featuring quirky décor reimagined in the iconic Bradley style.
Terry Bradley
Guests, clients and friends of Terry Bradley gathered for the official opening at a special champagne reception this week and were treated to an exclusive preview of Terry’s newest artwork. With titles such as ‘Wounds’, ‘Numb’, ‘At Peace’, ‘Not Broken’ and ‘Moving On’ the latest collection of artwork chronicles a difficult period of loss and grief in the artist’s life and reflects Terry’s ongoing struggle with his emotional and creative self.
His signature ‘Never Give Up’ wristbands, available both instore and online free of charge, are in constant demand as people connect with Terry’s mission to spread awareness of mental health struggles by providing a symbol of support and solidarity for both those struggling themselves and for their family and friends.
Along with the extensive artwork available for purchase from the Belfast gallery, the celebrated local artist has plans to utilise the space to support community initiatives to connect people with his art
Launching the free Bradley Art Experience earlier this month, which takes place every Friday morning at 11.30, gallery-goers can attend a guided talk of Bradley’s paintings over the years to learn more about the artist and the inspiration behind some of his most iconic pieces and characters depicted, including ‘Sailortown’, ‘The Belfast Dockers’, ‘Titanic’, ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Never Give Up’.
The inaugural Bradley Art Prize was also launched last month, with support from local business Radius Connect Solutions, to drive fresh talent and creativity among young people in Northern Ireland. With a total prize value of over £4,000 up for grabs, two winners selected by Terry and a panel of esteemed judges, will have their work framed and proudly displayed in the Bradley Gallery in Victoria Square, Belfast, for a week-long exhibition, including a launch night for friends and family in August next year. The art prize winner will also be invited to exhibit their work at the Northern Ireland Executive Offices in Brussels later in the year.
Speaking at the launch in Belfast’s Victoria Square, Terry Bradley said: “I’m really delighted to welcome everyone to the official opening of the new Bradley Art Gallery at Victoria Square and bring the Bradley experience from our home in Bangor to this fantastic new space in Belfast. I’ve been painting and sketching since I was 14 years old, I sometimes liken my artwork to having pages of my diary displayed for everyone to see, but I think that really resonates with people. Art is a powerful connector and I love that my gallery is open to everyone, from all walks of life.
I’m excited to launch this new space as a bit of a creative community hub where people can come together, share experiences and connect with each other through the artwork – whether that’s through our weekly Art Experiences or other community projects that I’m involved with. It’s also a space to showcase new and emerging young talent and I’m looking forward to proudly displaying the winning pieces from the inaugural Bradley Art Prize at a special exhibition next August.
There’s so much scope with this new gallery space in the city’s premier retail destination and I look forward to welcoming both loyal customers and new visitors to enjoy the space and hopefully connect personally with a piece of art that becomes part of their home for years to come.”
As Northern Ireland’s most distinguished artist in modern times, Terry Bradley’s work has global appeal, with clientele based across Europe, the U.S and as far as Australia and Asia.
In recent years, Terry has commissioned bespoke artwork for the Dead Rabbit bar in New York, formerly crowned the World’s Best Bar, and was appointed European ambassador for Harley Davidson motorcycles, which feature within the Bradley Art galleries in Bangor and Belfast. His work is also exhibited in Titanic Hotel, Belfast.
