Bridget Riley, the founder of the 'Op Art' movement, was born in london and grew up in Cornwall.  She studied at both Goldsmiths College (1949-52) and the Royal Collage of Art (1949 - 52).

Riley has become one of Britain's most well known contemporary artists after having developed her signature style in the 1960s; epitomised by her monochrome geometric patterns which produce a distorting effect on the eye. Her work since the 1970's has incorporated colour but its optical nature has been maintained. Riley has produced many screenprints throughout her career, with her 'Fragment' series of prints on plexiglass becoming amongst the most collectible and sought after works she has produced.

Whilst her work is abstract, she is greatly influenced by nature and the way in which light and colour can engage a deep emotional response. This is certainly reflected in her prints through her use of colour and abstract shapes, which form powerful, dynamic images, full of movement. 

Riley has had exhibitions in major galleries including Tate Modern, London, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and more recently The National Gallery, London.