Martin Bradley 1931-2023

Martin Bradley attended St Paul’s School, London, through the generosity of a private beneficiary. At fourteen, he ran away to sea and served as a cabin boy on the Central and South American run. It was at this time that Bradley began to paint. In 1954, he held his first solo exhibition at Gimpel Fils, London, followed by exhibitions at Gallery One and Redfern, also in London. In Paris, Rudolphe Augustinci at Rive Gauche Gallery regularly showed his work during the early 1960s. 

By 1962, Bradley was tiring of the art scene and decided to rethink his career. He travelled to East Asia and, for a time, served in the Spanish Foreign Legion. During this period, he learned ten different languages including Mandarin, Japanese and Tibetan. He also converted to Buddhism.

Bradley’s work is held by the Tate and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Notable British collectors included Sir Roland Penrose, Sir Herbert Read and Dame Barbara Hepworth.