IMAGINE growing up just off the Shankhill Road, in Northern Ireland. Imagine being the parent trying to keep your child indoors and away from the troubles.

Terry Bradley was born in Belfast in 1965 and his mother did all she could to keep him safe. Bradley found refuge in drawing and painting and in Herges Adventures of Tin Tin whose books he still collects.

Seeking escape from the reality outside his door, Bradley tuned in to Radio Luxembourg, a pirate radio station. He found the combination of music and books gave him stability and inspiration. His observations of people soon became the main focus of his artwork and soon was the theme which was to follow him through his life.

In the late 1970s Bradley's family moved out of the city and he found himself the outsider in a large comprehensive school. Art and English were his strengths and yet he never saw art as a career option.

After trying his hand in manufacturing Bradley turned back to art. He decided to combine it with fashion and opened his own clothes shop in a trendy area of the city. The shop called Retro soon became a leader for the fashion conscious students of Belfast. They were the first to stock Red or Dead footwear and he even had a regular DJ playing in the tiny store.

Despite its success Bradley still had an empty space inside of him and eventually he moved to Dublin. He did some modelling to make ends meet but still in the background he was always painting and drawing.

After all this time it was still the art that held him and the opportunity for a solo exhibition came during a chance conversation with the owner of the famous POD club in Dublin. Bradley agreed to do a show and the event was a huge success. Finally he could see his way forward.

Bradley paints the hard-drinking, hard-working dockers of Belfast’s Sailortown, where the proud and rugged faces dare you to stare and where the tattoo’s show that honour is everything. The women in his paintings are inspired by the models of New York fashion and the burlesque dancers of Paris, their inner strength shown by their expression, their poise and their tattoos.

Several exhibitions later and Bradley has an awakening audience. Ronan Keating has become not only a fan of his work, owning several pieces, but is also a close friend and advocate. Terry Bradley has also become a brand ambassador for Harley-Davidson.

The latest collection of work is entitled Dolls & Dockers and is currently on show at The Acorn Gallery, Pocklington.

For more details contact Diane Wass at The Acorn Gallery, Pocklington, phone 01759 307652 or go online theacorngallery.co.uk