An acclaimed Master of contemporary realism, British painter Henry Ward specialises in figurative oil paintings. Ward paints his own independent work, and commissioned portraits, in canvases that are typically life size. He was the recipient of a sophisticated and diverse art education. Highly trained in classical figurative painting, and in art theory, his paintings employ an unusual blend of the classical and the contemporary. It is this individualistic work that has made him one of Britain's most collectable young figurative painters. Exhibited in top international galleries, and supported by an elite group of international collectors, Ward has worked full time as an artist since he left University in 1995.

Born in 1971, Henry Ward was educated at Harrow School, and Chelsea College of Art. He then attended London's famous Goldsmiths College, and Winchester School of Art, where he gained his Masters Degree in Contemporary Art Theory.  Ward moved to New York in 1996. It was here that the fusion of classical painting and contemporary argument flourished. He produced the well-known Model Paintings for his solo show 'Iconostasis' at Tatistcheff & Co, on New York's prestigious 57th Street & 5th Avenue, in 1999.

Ward's Father was a Judge in The Supreme Court in Bermuda from 1987, and his son was already known for a series of sell-out solo shows on the island. Following Ward's New York success, the artist dominated several Bermuda National Gallery Biennials, during which time his reputation in Bermuda was established. Two strains of his work developed, independent figurative painting, and portrait commissions. Both borrow from each other, where portrait works have a crisp contemporary edge and contemporary figurative paintings have a classical realism.

After five years at the cutting edge in New York, the artist returned to Britain in 2001, where he set up studio in London's fashionable Notting Hill. Ward was invited to show in Christies of London in 2006, in a Celebration of Art from Harrow School. His work was selected for the invitations, catalogue back cover, and two of his 'Model paintings' were placed in the prime spot above the auctioneer's podium. BBC London Television chose to interview Henry for the exhibition. Henry's solo exhibition 'Glimpses' followed in the same year, on London's prestigious Bond Street, at John Mitchell Fine Paintings. He has had numerous other international solo exhibitions. Currently Ward works full time on portrait commissions, for which he has a waitlist.

Both in his own works, and in portrait commissions, Henry Ward constantly strives for unorthodox means of presenting the subject. Influences on his work are as diverse as Rembrandt, Chuck Close, Lucian Freud, and Michelangelo. In Ward's work, the intention is to portray character, and human experience, within the painted form. This can be within fully realist paintings, or figures placed within colouristic grounds.

Be it informally classical portraits, or independent figurative painting, Henry Ward has created a diversity of work. This has encouraged an impressive body of collectors that has grown steadily since his career began. He has an extensive list of portrait clients, and is becoming known for his Grand scale 'eight footer' portraits of an international elite. He is increasingly the choice of portraitist, and collectable, for a cognoscenti who seek his particular blend of contemporary classicism.