Part of the New Light Prize Exhibition 2020

Ruth Murray's work reflects a deep interest in exploring portraiture, identity, and the presence of human concerns in natural settings and the social landscape. Pliable shapes and invented masses are rendered in most of her works - the paintings are about the spongy fungibility of matter.

Ruth’s recent solo shows include ‘The Blue Hour’ at The Old Bank Residency Manchester, and ’Good Morning, Midnight!’ at Elysium Gallery in Swansea. In 2020, she won the Jackson’s Painting Prize and in 2019, she was shortlisted for the Contemporary British Painting Prize. Other notable exhibitions and awards include Derek Hill Scholar at British School at Rome, Northern Stars at the A Foundation, Saatchi's 4 New Sensations, The Creative Cities Collection, the BP Portrait Award and the Threadneedle Figurative Art Prize. Murray was also awarded the Stanley Smith scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art where she graduated in 2008.