Clifford Hanley was born in 1948. The eldest child of author Cliff Hanley and artist Anna Hanley, he studied drawing and painting at the famous Glasgow School of Art from 1966-72. On leaving art school, he worked on various projects, and was also involved in the music scene, playing lead guitar in a succession of bands. In 1979, he moved to London to promote his music career, side-lining art completely. But in 1984, following a brain aneurysm where he lost the use of his left hand, Hanley returned to painting, opening a small gallery. A short marriage saw him move to Bath, and then later to Bristol, where again he became very involved in local art festivals, as well as social campaigning and activism.
Dubbed ‘the hardest working artist in Bristol’ by Venue Magazine, Clifford sadly passed away on 26th July 2021 after a number of complicated health problems. His legacy is a joyous and dazzling array of artwork, demonstrating his clear vision and aesthetic sensibilities through pieces that are suited perfectly for the modern home. Most notably influenced by post-impressionism combined with the abstract expressionists that dominated 1950s America, many of these striking artworks were created by Hanley whilst living in Bristol in the early 90s and 2000s.
