Kelly, Ben

Ben Kelly, born in Manchester in 1974, was a prominent British artist known for his unique figurative style. He trained at the prestigious Central St Martins College in London and made a significant impact in the art world with his narrative-driven paintings, often featuring everyday scenes populated with people and dogs. His work is renowned for its technical skill and the way it captures the play of light on these scenes.

Kelly's rise to prominence included winning the distinguished Football Painting in Art Prize in 2006 with his work "The Final Whistle," following in the footsteps of the renowned artist L.S. Lowry. He had several successful exhibitions, including his largest solo show in 2014 at the Clark Art Gallery, which sold out before it even opened. His works are highly sought after, often with long waiting lists and significant interest in the secondary market.

In addition to his painting career, Kelly is a senior art lecturer at a Midlands university. His notable projects include serving as the artist-in-residence at his beloved Manchester City Football Club during the 2007/2008 season, producing a series of paintings depicting life at the club.

Ben sadly passed away at the age of 49 in 2024