On the occasion of her 95th birthday, Morley College London’s Governing Body is delighted to announce that celebrated artist Bridget Riley is the recipient of Morley’s Inspire Ambition Award
The Award recognises Riley’s extraordinary influence on British art and her enduring connection to Morley College London, and will be celebrated at Morley’s annual award ceremony in July.
The Inspire Ambition Award is made to an individual or individuals who in life and work have inspired others to learn.
The Morley College Mural
Riley’s Morley College Mural (1973) is on display in the main reception area of the Waterloo Centre. It has served for more than fifty years as a daily source of inspiration to students, staff, and visitors alike, embodying the transformative power of art within education
The work was commissioned by Morley College’s former Principal, Barry Till, for the reception area of a new extension and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in December 1973. The painting measures 316cm by 215cm and is executed in acrylics on canvas. In 2023, the painting was carefully restored and returned to its original vibrancy.
Bridget Riley explained how her celebrated work was commissioned:
” When I first met Mr Till, the visionary director of Morley College, he told me that he wanted to include aesthetic experience in the further educational programme that Morley College was offering. He suggested a mural at the entrance where the students would see it when coming and going. At that time, I had no experience of painting on walls, but I said I could make a large painting for him to hang in the entrance hall and that was what happened’.
A pioneering artist
Born in 1931, Bridget Riley moved through various artistic styles and influences in the early part of her career. In the 1960s, Riley became one of the leading figures of Optical Art, which uses geometric patterns and bold colours to explore visual perception and optical illusions.
Today she is widely acknowledged as one of Britain’s most pioneering and influential artists, whose work has profoundly shaped contemporary visual culture.
Inspiring the next generation
Riley’s commitment to fostering the next generation of artists is equally noteworthy. Through the establishment of the Bridget Riley Art Foundation (2011), she has demonstrated sustained dedication to supporting and nurturing emerging artistic talent, reflecting the very values of aspiration, creativity, and ambition that Morley College London seeks to champion.
Commenting on the award, Morley’s Chair of Governors Leisha Fullick said: “As we celebrate Bridget Riley’s 95th birthday year, it is especially fitting to honour her exceptional contribution to British art and her long-standing inspiration to the Morley community. All of us at Morley wish Bridget a very happy birthday!”
Visit the Morley College Mural at our Waterloo Centre, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1, and also discover other works in Morley’s Permanent Art Collection.
