About

Bio

Born in 1954, Bruce Riley grew up in a working class tradition of several generations on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. His neighborhood was on the urban - rural divide of city and country. Most of his childhood was spent in the surrounding woods and creeks exploring a fantasy wilderness. Throughout his childhood he drew and painted with contemporary painting media being his primary focus to this day. 

Having just missed the Vietnam war, Bruce attended art school if there was funding. At times of no funding he would rent a studio. Eventually he quit attending schools and just maintained a studio. Bruce considers himself to be self-taught.

In the early 1980's Bruce started exhibiting in the Cincinnati region getting into shows and receiving small awards. In the late 80's through the early 90's Bruce started receiving more prestigious awards and show inclusions; Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, Inc grant, 1987, The Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, grant and show inclusion, 1988, The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Inc. grant, 1989, Ohio Arts Council grant, 1991 and Arts Midwest/NEA Regional Visual Arts Fellowship Award 1992.

In 1993 Bruce and his partner moved to Chicago where he has maintained a studio while working as a freelancer in a variety of industries.

Currently Bruce paints full-time while exploring digital painting and electronic sound.