Geoffrey Key was born in Rusholme, Manchester in 1941. His father worked as a warehouseman for the Co-Operative Wholesale Society and his mother was a secretary at Dunlop's, were she illustrated the in-house magazine for the company.

His early education began at Manchester’s High School of Art before going on to study art at Manchester Regional College of Art. After being awarded a National Diploma of Design and the Diploma of Associateship of Manchester he continued his postgraduate scholarship in sculpture at Manchester.

The main themes in Key’s work were the human figure, landscape and horses. He was a member of the Manchester Academy, gaining first prize there in 1971. Key's art was exhibited at Salford Art Gallery from 1966, Sheffield University and abroad in 1974, other exhibitions including the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, 1983, Blackheath Gallery from 1989 and Barn Gallery, Cheshire, in 1991.

Public galleries holding his work include Salford, Manchester and Bolton hold his work. Key lives in Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire.