Katty McMurray
As far as the artistic journey and trajectory of Katty McMurray is concerned, there is, undoubtedly, an honest and innate simplicity illuminating her work. Indeed, her intrinsic ability to evoke the unique aura and essence of a specific place or a special moment in time through her spontaneous style of sketching and bold oil paintings, has attracted multiple collectors globally.
Post her graduation from Chelsea School of Art (1988-1991), the artist’s early work was primarily inspired by her extensive travels throughout Morocco, Zanzibar, China, Vietnam and Europe and is characterised by the use of intensely rich colour palettes and intricate compositions. Throughout the past decade Katty has drawn inspiration from her travels in Europe and closer to home, thereby manifesting a healing, restorative and soothing collection of still life works in situ, and large vistas. As a result, her new collection depicts Mediterranean vistas, with a special focus on Italy and Greece alongside English coastal views, as well as small still life paintings. Most significantly, her Italian heritage has galvanised and motivated Katty to travel extensively through Italy. However, the UK remains close to her heart and this bond is truly reflected in her small still life paintings.
In this connection, Katty’s artistic style originates from the spontaneous, continuous clean lines of her drawings. Since childhood she has amassed hundreds of sketchbooks filled with these quick sketches and often by using mainly a single line, she captures the innate magic of a place/destination, thereby leading to the revelation of the authentic aura of the specific location.
Given the above, Katty has exhibited extensively throughout the UK and London Art Fairs. In addition, she has been commissioned for several high profile projects including Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Brighton Festival Poster, The Hoxton Hotel and most recently the new Brighton Hospital.
In 2001, the artist founded her own gallery ‘TWO KATS AND A COW’’ on Brighton Beach where she is based with her family. Furthermore, some of her major shows are as follows:
The Ingo Fincke Gallery, London – 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023
The Curwen Gallery, London – 2008
The Fairfax Gallery, London – 2006
Cambridge Contemporary Art – 2005
The Fairfax Gallery – 2004
CCA Galleries, London – 2000, 2001
CCA Galleries, Farnham – 2001
Zella Gallery, Chelsea, London – 1997, 1998
Open House, Brighton Festival – 1999, 2000
The Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park, London – 1996, 1998
Lyndons Fine Art, (Portobello Open Prize winner, May 1997)
The Horsham Arts Centre, Horsham – 1995
