Brendan Hesmondhalgh was born in Lancashire, England in 1973. Working in clay for the first time at sixth form he selected to study ceramics at degree level. After a short time in North Wales, Hesmondhalgh transferred to a sculptural ceramic course at Edinburgh College of Art in 1994.

After 18 months as an artist in residence at Drumcroon Arts Centre where he worked with children in art workshops and developed his own work for galleries and commission, he then pursued his freelance career following a move to Yorkshire in 1998. In his early work he illustrated animals in both two and three dimensions and enjoyed the freedom of expressing his ideas on a life-size scale.

Hesmondhalgh began working on monumental pieces after gaining a number of public art commissions. In some of these sculptures he experimented with animals on plinths and geometric bases which intensified the creature’s stature and allows for a greater contrast. The surface remains a focused element that he continues to develop. Adding colour, directional and textural marks Hesmondhalgh uses the surface to draw the eye, and to further illustrate a creature’s character, behaviour and structural qualities.

Hesmondhalgh has established a distinctive style that is notably recognised and collected worldwide.