Helen Bradley

(1900-1979)

Born in Oldham, aged 12 she won the John Platt Scholarship at Oldham Art School.
In 1914 she worked for her father who supplied small wares to local shops and at 14 she entered the business world with an order
book and a pony and trap.
In 1945 she became a frequent visitor to the British Museum where she studied the painting and art of Tibet. She read of Turner's
admiration for the Dutch artist Avercamp and this led to her appreciation of the Dutch Masters. Although she did not draw she considered the
properties of colour very carefully using a strictly limited palette.
At 65 and doubtful about people seeing her pictures, she kept them under her bed. Within a few years she was to have an exhibition in London
where all the pictures we re sold before the opening day.