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Daniel Murray working at a painting sitting on an easel Close up of a hand holding a paint brush working on a portrait Daniel Murray painting at an easel at the Portrait Artist of the Year event

Artist's Statement

I enjoy painting realistic portrayals of the human form and mixing that with abstracted landscapes inspired by the highland environment I grew up in.

Using scale, contrast and composition, I create atmospheric worlds in which the subjects of the paintings inhabit. Striking, jagged backdrops that accentuate the fragility of the human condition represented by the figures.

Awards

  • 2025

    Work selected for the Royal society of Portrait Painters 2025 annual exhibition

  • 2024

    Work shortlisted for RSA MacRobert Art Award

  • 2022

    Longlisted for Jackson’s Painting Prize

  • 2022

    Commendation winner at the Scottish Portrait Awards

  • 2021

    Longlist in the Scottish Portrait Awards

  • 2018

    Winner of the Scottish Portrait award in fine art

  • 2013

    Took part in the Sky Arts Portrait of the Year televised round

Solo Exhibitions

  • Jun 2023 Portraits, Gairloch Museum

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • May 2025 Joint exhibition with MK Thomson, An Talla Solais
  • Nov 2024 Home, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
  • Sep 2023 A Closer Look, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
  • Jul 2019 Out of the Blue is 25, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
  • Jun 2015 The Crossing (with Diana Hope), An Talla Solais
  • Dec 2012 Winter Exhibition, Loch Torridon Gallery
  • Mar 2012 Studio Inscape, An Talla Solais
  • Jul 2006 Coming Home, An Talla Solais