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Artist

Ben Riley

Ben Riley

Born in 1981, Ben Riley is an accomplished British artist based in Staffordshire. Music played a significant role in his journey to becoming a professional artist. Unlike their digital counterparts, the vinyl records utilized in Riley’s artworks are a nature of their own. Appealing to the eye, the ear, and the touch, his portraits are created from vinyl records, broken down into fragments and dust, allowing viewers to feel and visualize the vitality of pressed music which got lost in the digital age.

Since 2002, Riley has been a professional artist focusing on iconic and stimulating portraiture. He has quickly gained notoriety in the capture of the mood, soul, and character of each subject. His original paintings have been cherished by an international audience worldwide. With an accolade of celebrity and professional collectors, Riley’s works have been featured in media, television, and press worldwide.




Born in 1981, Ben Riley is an accomplished British artist based in Staffordshire. Music played a significant role in his journey to becoming a professional artist. Unlike their digital counterparts, the vinyl records utilized in Riley’s artworks are a nature of their own. Appealing to the eye, the ear, and the touch, his portraits are created from vinyl records, broken down to fragments and dust, allowing viewers to feel and visualize the vitality of pressed music which is so quickly being lost in the digital age.

“I want to connect the viewer with the icon, to feel the mind, body, and soul – allowing the music to create the icon, rather than the icon making the music.” 

Previously, vinyl records had one of two destinies: the charity shop box in the corner of the room, or the rubbish pile. Riley’s art is warm, rugged, and elegantly simple like the vinyl he repurposes to create portraits imbued with the history and liveliness of music. Icons of music are recreated from the music form that made them. Each piece of vinyl is emotionally charged, some reflective, dazzling in different angles and lights, some reserved and soft. Because of this, each portrait gives many different impressions to the eye, enrapturing a nostalgic moment in time. According to Riley, vinyl is the only medium which allows his portraits to sing. 

Since 2002, Riley has been able to deliver his art professionally to an international audience focusing on iconic and stimulating portraiture worldwide; gaining notoriety in the capture of mood, soul, and character of a subject. With an accolade of celebrity and professional collectors, Riley’s works have been featured in media, television, and press worldwide. 

Born in 1981, Ben Riley is an accomplished British artist based in Staffordshire. Music played a significant role in his journey to becoming a professional artist. Unlike their digital counterparts, the vinyl records utilized in Riley’s artworks are a nature of their own. Appealing to the eye, the ear, and the touch, his portraits are created from vinyl records, broken down to fragments and dust, allowing viewers to feel and visualize the vitality of pressed music which is so quickly being lost in the digital age.

“I want to connect the viewer with the icon, to feel the mind, body, and soul – allowing the music to create the icon, rather than the icon making the music.” 

Previously, vinyl records had one of two destinies: the charity shop box in the corner of the room, or the rubbish pile. Riley’s art is warm, rugged, and elegantly simple like the vinyl he repurposes to create portraits imbued with the history and liveliness of music. Icons of music are recreated from the music form that made them. Each piece of vinyl is emotionally charged, some reflective, dazzling in different angles and lights, some reserved and soft. Because of this, each portrait gives many different impressions to the eye, enrapturing a nostalgic moment in time. According to Riley, vinyl is the only medium which allows his portraits to sing. 

Since 2002, Riley has been able to deliver his art professionally to an international audience focusing on iconic and stimulating portraiture worldwide; gaining notoriety in the capture of mood, soul, and character of a subject. With an accolade of celebrity and professional collectors, Riley’s works have been featured in media, television, and press worldwide.