Richard Heys

I create colour driven abstract paintings with presence. In my work I explore pure colour and form, the substance of paint and ground, and the tensions between the physical processes of making and the ‘life’ in the piece. I create paintings with presence, paintings which have atmosphere and countenance.

For the last few years I have been working in a beautiful light filled studio in Sussex, England exploring tools and processes which disguise the hand. I have found a greater freedom through this limitation and its challenges. I explore light and darkness and pure colour journeys, working with transparency and glazing to create vibrant surfaces.

My paintings were selected for the Royal Watercolour Society's Open in 2024 and for the ING Discerning Eye exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London in 2015, 2016 and 2021. In 2017 my work was selected for the prestigious Creekside Open and the National Open Art Competition. Most recently I have recently been awarded the Jackson's Art Prize for my painting in Linden Hall Studio's prestigious Winter Group Show 2025-26.

BA (Hons) Fine Art (Sunderland University) 1986
Diploma in Sculpture Emerson College 2001
PGCE (DTLLS) Central Sussex College 2012

My work is currently on show in the United Kingdom at Adam's Gallery in Reigate, at Clifton Fine Art in Bristol, and at Wilverley Gallery in Lymington.