Tony Heald was born in Barnsley in South Yorkshire and has lived in this northern town all his life.
Most of Tony’s life has centred around his dual passions of art and education. Since Tony studied Art and Education at York St John University in the early sixties, these two pursuits have formed a symbiotic partnership, each enhancing the other.
Like his mentor and close friend, the late Robin Tanner, the famous etcher, and Her Majesty's Inspector for Schools for nearly 30 years, he strongly believes that the arts should be at the very centre of education, and Tony has endeavoured to put art at the core of his teaching methodology.
Tony prefers to draw with pen and ink, graphite, and charcoal, however, he has also created many artworks in oil, utilising big brushes and a palette knife on a rough textured canvas. His eclectic mix of art also includes watercolours and even some clay sculptures.
Tony cares deeply about the environment, and when he was headteacher of Ardsley Oaks Junior School in Barnsley he received the prestigious accolade of The Green School of Great Britain which was presented by Friends of the Earth and TV-am.
In 1977 Tony’s school was awarded The Queen's Silver Jubilee Award for its outstanding contribution to environmental awareness. The award was presented to him and the children by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at St James's Palace.
Tony has exhibited his work throughout the UK and Europe, on Broadway, and in Alaska and New Zealand. Since 2005, based in the city of Münster, Tony has taught, painted, and exhibited across much of Germany.
Still living in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, he loves to travel to London on a regular basis to visit the latest art exhibitions and to socialise in his favourite pub, The French House in Soho, where some of the great artists of twentieth century including Francis Bacon used to drink. You will even find a photograph of Tony with the famous author and journalist Sandy Fawkes on the wall next to the bar.
Tony continues to follow his glorious obsession of drawing and painting, not for fame or fortune, but to fulfil an overwhelming desire.
