Michael Alford

Artist Michael Alford was born in Cookham, England and his earliest art training came from his father. As a young man he travelled extensively in South America and the Middle East, keeping detailed sketchbooks to record his experiences. This series of early drawings reveals a talent for the figurative depiction of cities, human figures, and natural scenes, the subjects that form the core of his work to this day.
Returning to the United Kingdom, Michael Alford pursued studies at the Slade School and the Chelsea School of Art before launching a successful painting career. Known for his ability to blend classical technique with a sharp, modern sensibility, his work can be found in public and private collections around the world. He exhibits regularly in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States and continental Europe.
Michael has been awarded several prizes including the Green and Stone Oil Painting Prize, the Agnes Reeve Memorial Prize for best painting of London, and the Prima Luce Mural prize. His work has been chosen many times for exhibition by the Royal Society of Oil Painters.
Michael’s body of work is varied, reflecting his interests in many aspects of life as well as his skill in a variety of media. He is best known for masterful cityscapes of contemporary urban centres such as London, New York and Barcelona. His paintings and drawings of people — men and women, clothed and nude — are highly sought-after for their combination of fine draughtsmanship, acute observation and sense of drama.
In 2011 Michael served as official War Artist to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, accompanying them on their tour of Afghanistan. In 2013 he was appointed as the Official War Artist to1 Mechanized Brigade, again in Helmand.
Michael Alford lives and works in London.