POPULAR artist Morris Riley is widely regarded as the Lowry of Rugby League.
Now the well-known artist has produced a series of paintings depicting the famous old Fartown ground.
It was the home of Huddersfield Rugby League Club from 1878 to 1992 before the move to the Galpharm Stadium, where the Huddersfield Giants are now based.
But the Kirklees Council-owned ground is still a home for rugby. It is used by amateur RL club St Joseph’s.
Riley was born in Warrington in 1951 and gained his BA in Visual Arts at Bolton Institute, in 1996. He went on to lecture Art in the Collegiate, Warrington, until he became a professional artist in 2004. He gained a reputation for his figurative work, and historic imagery of Rugby League Football, of which he is a huge fan.
The Fartown works have been produced using a variety of mediums, including oil on canvas, charcoal on water colour paper, pastel paintings, acrylic on canvass and a pencil drawing.
And Riley is delighted he has been able to find the time to produce a series devoted to one of his favourite rugby league venues.
“I’ve always loved Fartown, and I’ll never forget going to Huddersfield on a coach trip as a young lad to watch Warrington play in the 1960s,” he said.
“I was under strict instructions from my father not to go, but I made the trip anyway with my best friend!
“The atmosphere at Fartown that day was absolutely fantastic, but unfortunately I also remember having to watch Ken Senior destroy my beloved Wire.
“Serves me right for going, I suppose!”
Some of the original paintings and prints have now go on sale, with prices starting from £20 for A4 size mounted prints.
Anyone who would like to purchase a print or a painting can call Michelle O’Hara-Wilkinson on 07921 450313 or visit www.artofriley.co.uk.
