Adrian Parnell was born in London and studied at St Martin's School of Art and the Slade from 1970-1977. He continued his studies at Goldsmith's and Borough Polytechnic. 

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He is a Life Associate member of the Penwith Society, St Ives and a Full Member of the South West Academy. He has exhibited continuously since art school at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the Mall Galleries, the New Grafton Gallery, Dartington Hall and many other public and commercial venues. He has also been artist in residence for the English National Ballet.