Latest news
BLUSHER
'Blusher' Art, Makeup, Materiality is a group exhibition curated by Cathy Lomax, which opens on Friday 11/6/2025 with a private view from 6-8pm in the Vijay Patel building at the De Montfort University in Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
The show runs from 12 July - 6 September 2025 and is open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday and midday to 5pm on Saturdays The exhibition includes work by artists who, in Cathy's words: 'showcase makeup's multifarious meanings in a variety of media.' My work 'Smells of the Past' (pictured right) is included in the show @leicestergallery There will also be a publication with essays by Cathy Lomax, Hilary Belzer & Alex Michon. |
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The show includes the work of artists: Sally Kindberg, Alison Jones, Lindsey Bull, Annabel Dover, Cathy Lomax, Eugenia Cuellar, Cary Kwok, Rebecca Parkin, Athen Kardashian & Nina Mhach Durban, Gemma Browne, Xingxin Hu, Karla Black, Alexis Soul Gray, Caroline Zurmely, Hilde Krohn Huse, Jennifer Caroline Campbell, Michael Fullerton, Lucienne Cole, Katherine Allen, Christine Stewart, Lucy Brown, Sarah Doyle, Mary Modha, Lisa Milroy, Madelynn Green, Matilda Moors, Kate Murdoch, Mo Throp, Erica Eyres, Fiona Roberts, Caroline Walker, Paul Kindersley, Rosemary Cronin, Ruth Heaton, Jennifer Merrell, Stacy Greene, Ty Locke, Rose Wylie
DEPTFORD X 2025
Deptford X fringe opens this coming Saturday, July 12th. The first part of my work 'Fabric of Life: 20/25' is now installed in one of the windows of Deptford Lounge and is comprised of 20 embroidery hoops, filled with various fabrics celebrating my late grandmother. Anyone with a connection to Deptford is invited to bring a swatch of their own fabric to create an alternative installation.
There will be a box for the collection of fabrics at the Lounge reception. I can't wait to see how things unfold and hope that any materials collected will represent all that Deptford encompasses with its diverse and cultural history.
The 'Fabric of Life' is an ongoing body of work which I've recently decided to show in different configurations - 20/25 is the most recent. Please refer to my blog 'Keeping it Going' on the a-n Artists Network if you'd like to read more about it:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/
Deptford X fringe opens this coming Saturday, July 12th. The first part of my work 'Fabric of Life: 20/25' is now installed in one of the windows of Deptford Lounge and is comprised of 20 embroidery hoops, filled with various fabrics celebrating my late grandmother. Anyone with a connection to Deptford is invited to bring a swatch of their own fabric to create an alternative installation.
There will be a box for the collection of fabrics at the Lounge reception. I can't wait to see how things unfold and hope that any materials collected will represent all that Deptford encompasses with its diverse and cultural history.
The 'Fabric of Life' is an ongoing body of work which I've recently decided to show in different configurations - 20/25 is the most recent. Please refer to my blog 'Keeping it Going' on the a-n Artists Network if you'd like to read more about it:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/
KEEPING IT GOING
In between all the shifting and sorting at the start of 2025, it's been great to have some work out in the world, one as part of hARTslane's new membership show, 'Love Shack' and the other, a return to The House of Smalls gallery in Stockbridge, Edinburgh for 'Contexture.'
In the meantime, work for a new configuration of 'The Fabric of Life' is in progress, in preparation for the Deptford X fringe arts festival, running from July 11th through to 27th.
If you're interested in reading more about my work, please take a look at my 'Keeping It Going' blog which documents 13 years of work and working process:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/
In between all the shifting and sorting at the start of 2025, it's been great to have some work out in the world, one as part of hARTslane's new membership show, 'Love Shack' and the other, a return to The House of Smalls gallery in Stockbridge, Edinburgh for 'Contexture.'
In the meantime, work for a new configuration of 'The Fabric of Life' is in progress, in preparation for the Deptford X fringe arts festival, running from July 11th through to 27th.
If you're interested in reading more about my work, please take a look at my 'Keeping It Going' blog which documents 13 years of work and working process:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/
Birdcage Kate Murdoch 2009
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RAMSGATE AFFORDABLE PRINT FAIR 2024
Pleased to have some inkjet prints of my work included in the Ramsgate Affordable Print Fair, 2024. Curated and organised by Harry Pye, the show includes work from over 20 artists, with all work being sold for less than 100 pounds. It opens on Friday, September 13th at The Front Room Gallery on Bellevue Road, a 15 minute walk from Ramsgate train station. ArtRabbit: 'Harry has selected a plethora of printmakers. Some are Ramsgate residents, some are young artists who've never exhibited before, others are award winners or have exhibited internationally. We hope there is something for everyone.' |
DRY HUMPING
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I made a new piece of work in response to a call made by artist/curator Sadie Hennessy and was pleased to have it included in two outings of her 'Dry Humping' group show. A 'solo' show (in a manner of speaking), it ran from November 28th til December 3rd at Studio 1.1 in Shoreditch, London, with a second outing at the Bruce Williams gallery in Whitstable, Kent in early January 2024.
The show's best summed up by the artist herself, I think: 'Earlier this year I was thinking about the idea of the 'artist's voice' or their signature style, and wondered if I had such a thing. In order to find out I put an Open Call out, inviting people to submit work that was in the style of my own, to be considered in a 'solo show' (by me!). I gave them my website address (www.sadiehennessy.co.uk) as I didn't assume they'd be familiar with what I do. Then I waited to see what came back. There were over 70 responses which I whittled down to 45. These works have now been brought together in a beautiful publication, with essays from Dr Lucy Hawairth, Camilla Ellingsen Webster and Professor Matthew Worley, published by Ambitious Outsiders. The show was highlighted in the ORGAN as one of the top five recommended shows to see in the week that 'Dry Humping' made its debut at Studio1.1 in Shoreditch, London. |
'Cynthia liked to maintain high standards by regularly trimming her bush' Kate Murdoch 2023
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10x10
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I was so pleased to bring 10x10 back to Deptford as part of the Deptford X arts festival in October, 2023.
It marked 15 years since I first brought 100 objects for exchange to a general public, responding to the year's call for artists to make work answering to the theme of barter and trade. The concept of exchange was particularly pertinent in the year 10x10 was launched. 2008 is a year synonymous with one of the biggest financial crises in global history. In the wake of a monumental financial crash, with top banks and financial companies folding, I posed another question: how long would it be until people resorted to bartering? |
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NO PLACE LIKE HOME
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In September 2023, my work 'Sweet Nothings' was included in the group show, 'No Place Like Home' at the ArtHouse, Jersey. The exhibition was described as 'an ambitious multi-disciplinary exhibition featuring the works of acclaimed UK, international and Jersey-based artists that explores the concept of 'home' in the 21st century.'
The exhibition was curated and produced by Rosalind Davis and Laura Hudson. You can read more about the exhibition here: www.arthousejersey.je/our-work/no-place-like-home |
HOPE
In June 2023, an exchange of messages between myself and Robert and Saskia Singer, the father/daughter team who run the brilliant Narture artist collective, led to me taking my HOPE work to the seaside town of Ayr in the south west of Scotland. HOPE is currently being displayed in the entrance way to their recently created artist studios/wellbeing rooms in a building in Newmarket Street, Ayr.
HOPE Kate Murdoch 2020
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The theme of hope was very much at the forefront of Robert and Saskia's work and a recent exhibition in empty shop windows throughout the town last summer. For further details about Narture click here:
www.narture.co.uk My late father was born in Muirkirk, not far from Ayr and the town has always held a special place in my heart, so it was lovely to be able to take it there. I created HOPE during the pandemic and wrote about it on my 'Keeping It Going' blog. You can read it here if you scroll down to the post for August 2023: www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2023/08/ |
Me on the beach at Ayr, aged 6
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GRAHAM CROWLEY
Kate Murdoch's Studio 2 Graham Crowley
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I was delighted to be contacted by painter Graham Crowley a while back, to let me know that he'd completed three paintings of my studio as part of his Workshops series. I could look at them forever - the attention to detail and the amazing way in which Graham captures light in his paintings is mesmerising.
Graham recently won the John Moores Painting Prize (2023) for his painting 'Light Industry.' To quote Graham: 'I have entered at least 16 times, been selected 10 times, and shortlisted for the first prize three times.' I guess the lesson is - keep going! To see more of Graham's work visit his website here: www.grahamcrowley.co.uk/ |
STILL LIFE WITH FLOWERS
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Two pieces of my work 'Rosie Lee' and 'Nora was deflowered by a man who worked in a soda-water factory' have been selected for the 'Still Life with Flowers' show. The exhibition runs alongside Paula MacArthur's solo show 'Still Light' at Rye Art Gallery and features a number of contemporary artists working on the theme of flowers, responding to the gallery's permanent collection.
Details of both shows are here: www.ryeartgallery.co.uk/exhibitions-events |
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EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
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I was pleased to have my work 'Eye of the Beholder' included in the latest edition of The Artist's Manual, published by DK, consultant editor Rob Pepper.
www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241483855-the-artists-manual/ I've always loved this image of Louise Bourgeois. She's been one of my favourite artists for many years, and was still producing work well into her 90s. A major retrospective of her work will be shown at Hayward Gallery in London in February. |
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ALL THE DEAD DEARS
‘All the Dead Dears’ was included in the‘Silent Disco’ exhibition, organised & curated by Graham Crowley at his amazing Greystone Industries gallery in Wickham Market, Suffolk in August of last year.
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It was created by selecting three vintage photo mounts, part of a small collection that have been in my studio for some time.
I was drawn to their gaping, vacant spaces at a point of trying to make sense of the daily Covid death totals that were being read out in government press conferences. The figures were presented as if they were a mere statistic, but every single one of those numbers represented a real person, a person who was loved & cherished and would leave a gaping hole in people’s lives. 'All the dead dears, all the long gone darlings' should never be forgotten |
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You can read more about the 'dead dears' in this blog post: www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2021/11/
UNSUNG HERO
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My work 'Unsung Hero' was part of the annual groving exhibition in Bury St Edmunds. This year's theme was Monument. I invited people to take one of my limited edition medals to acknowledge some of those who had worked for the good of their community.
Lynda Turbet responded with a poem. You can read Lynda's poem and discover more about the project in the link below: www.groveprojects.org/blog/previous/5 |
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A-N BLOG
With the help of Stephen Palmer, a-n Artists Network published an online Q&A article derived from conversations between myself and fellow artist bloggers, Stuart Mayes and Elena Thomas. We celebrate 33 years of blogging between us. The article outlines our individual takes on the benefits of long term blogging. It speaks volumes I think, about the huge advantages to be gained through being a part of the a-n blogging community, both past and present. Some conversations have already come out of it. Our hope, collectively is that there will be more to come. You can read the article here: www.a-n.co.uk/news/a-qa-with-elena-thomas-kate-murdoch-and-stuart-mayes-artists-and-a-n-bloggers/ |
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PODCAST
I first became aware of the artist Gary Mansfield back in 2012, when I sent him a pair of shoes for his brilliant 'Walk a Mile' project. We've followed each other on social media ever since, so it was a real pleasure to finally have a proper conversation with him - even though Covid rules still meant that we had to do it online! I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed chatting with Gary...
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lkxGN6T9O05kdt30GCrM2?si=GYAHXdSvQTGCZ7XLL_egew&nd=1
I first became aware of the artist Gary Mansfield back in 2012, when I sent him a pair of shoes for his brilliant 'Walk a Mile' project. We've followed each other on social media ever since, so it was a real pleasure to finally have a proper conversation with him - even though Covid rules still meant that we had to do it online! I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed chatting with Gary...
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lkxGN6T9O05kdt30GCrM2?si=GYAHXdSvQTGCZ7XLL_egew&nd=1
DISTURBING THE BODY
Image: LIghthouse Bookshop, Edinburgh
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Very proud to have 'Bad Head Day' used as the original artwork for the cover of 'Disturbing The Body' an anthology of body-themed autobiographical writing by women. The book is published by Boudicca Press and was launched on March 23rd 2021.
'As our lives are dictated by illness during the COVID-19 crisis, it's so important narratives of illness and disability are told by those living through them. 'Disturbing The Body' brings voices 'from the other side of the desk' to the fore in pieces of speculative autobiography exploring health, medicine and what it means to occupy a body.' Louise Kenward 2021 You can order a copy from UK independent bookshops, including Lighthouse Bookshop, Edinburgh: https://lighthousebookshop.com/blogs/news/disturbing-the-body-a-feminist-extravaganza |
HOPE
Since the first lockdown restrictions began on March 23rd 2020 my main focus has been on a body of work around the theme of hope. The images below are of my HOPE piece, made up of numerous vintage flowers, that I placed in various locations around Creekside, Deptford SE8.
It took me much longer than anticipated to complete this particular piece of work - hardly surprising, given what we were all going through. I wrote about the process of making HOPE in my 'Keeping It Going' blog:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2020/10/
Since the first lockdown restrictions began on March 23rd 2020 my main focus has been on a body of work around the theme of hope. The images below are of my HOPE piece, made up of numerous vintage flowers, that I placed in various locations around Creekside, Deptford SE8.
It took me much longer than anticipated to complete this particular piece of work - hardly surprising, given what we were all going through. I wrote about the process of making HOPE in my 'Keeping It Going' blog:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2020/10/
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INTERVIEW
It's always lovely to be asked about your work, so I was really pleased to be interviewed by artist Mary Modha. The conversation took place in June 2020 during lockdown. You can read the interview here: https://mary.planetmodha.com/interviews/kate-murdoch |
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CONNECTED
Lockdown was officially announced on March 23rd, 2020. Since then I've been unable to access my studio and have been working from home instead. My work over the past couple of months has mostly been posted online and I've welcomed the connection with other artists and art organisations, some of whom I've connected with for the first time.
Lockdown was officially announced on March 23rd, 2020. Since then I've been unable to access my studio and have been working from home instead. My work over the past couple of months has mostly been posted online and I've welcomed the connection with other artists and art organisations, some of whom I've connected with for the first time.
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For the thirty days of April, I worked on an online project 'Connected' which focused on finding and bringing together objects which were similar but different. You can read about it in my 'Keeping It Going' blog here:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2020/04/ I was also one of the artists interviewed by the curatorial team at hARTslane for 'The Lockdown Chronicles' about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on my practice. You can read mine and other artists' interviews here: https://www.hartslane.org/lockdown-chronicles/kate-murdoch |
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Being in touch with hARTslane again brought back fond memories of taking part in the 'New Narratives' group exhibition. Here are some great photos by Pat Meagher of the artists' talk from March 2018:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paddym01/albums/72157694816505705/page1 I've also been taking part in 'Housebound’ a fantastic initiative, organised and curated by artist, Susan Francis. It's an online contemporary art exhibition responding to the rooms in an average house. You can visit the online exhibition here: https://www.instagram.com/houseboundart/ |
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OBJECTIFICATION
I was commissioned by curator of the Collyer Bristow Gallery, Rosalind Davis, to make a site-specific piece of work for the group show 'Me, Myself and I' which opened on February 27th 2020. My installation 'Objectification' explores female identity and addresses the different life stages of being a woman from a feminist perspective through the use of everyday found objects. You can read more about the process behind making this work in my blog post of 9th February here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2020/02/ 'Me, Myself and I' is on until June 10th, weekdays (office hours) only. Details here: https://collyerbristow.com/gallery/ |
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WELCOME
I made a new piece of work in response to World Refugee Day and Refugee Week 2019. I headed for a specific piece of coastline, Winchelsea Beach, in East Sussex. You can read about the inspiration behind this particular piece of work in my latest blog post:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2019/06/
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2019/06/
NEITHER USE NOR ORNAMENT
I was one of 14 artists whose work was part of the 'Neither Use Nor Ornament' group show at the OVADA Gallery in Oxford in March 2019. The show was curated by Sonia Boue´ and was funded by ACE.
I was one of 14 artists whose work was part of the 'Neither Use Nor Ornament' group show at the OVADA Gallery in Oxford in March 2019. The show was curated by Sonia Boue´ and was funded by ACE.
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'Neither Use Nor Ornament' touched on a recurring theme in my work around the question of value and worth. What is an object ‘worth?’ Is an object that's useful more valuable than one that's purely ornamental, for example? How can we put a price on any given item?
On the surface, the objects that I presented in '102 Pieces of Glass' are of no real monetary value - a pound or two on Ebay perhaps, but certainly not big bucks. But once it's revealed that some of them belonged to my late grandmother, then they become imbued with a personal history and narrative, and the emotional value of them is for me infinitely greater. For more about '102 Pieces of Glass' scroll down to 26/6 post on my blog here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2019/06/ And for further information about the NUNO project, click here: https://www.ovada.org.uk/event/nuno/ |
102 Pieces of Glass (detail) Kate Murdoch 2019
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CAVEWOMEN
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CAVEwomen at Cave Pimlico was ... 'a group show of feminist art using practices that shaped the feminist art movement, subverting and reclaiming gender stereotypes from the mass media to positively assert female identities and address issues confronting patriarchy and sexism in art and society.'
I made 'Jane Had a Better Idea' specifically for the show in response to the above remit, using my collection of 1960s Ladybird learning to read books. Indicative of their time, Jane and her mother's role in the books' story lines represented them in passive and domestic roles. Women and girls were depicted as observers to the more exciting roles played by the menfolk - watching, rather than joining in and always at hand to provide much needed refreshments. For this group exhibition and to celebrate International Women's Day 2019, I decided that it was high time Jane had some fun. |
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RECENT EXHIBITIONS: HOXTON ARCHES & A-SIDE B-SIDE GALLERY
In November 2018 my contribution to ‘Jo Mama’s Second Alphabet Show’ was 'N for Nurses' at the A-Side B-Side gallery: http://www.asidebsidegallery.com/PR__Jo_Mamas_2nd_Alphabet_Show.html Also in November, 'Bad Head Day’ was included in the Shape Open Retrospective group show at Hoxton Arches: https://www.shapearts.org.uk/Event/shape-open-retrospective Given that I’ve had so much contact with nurses recently and that continuing problems with my right ear have made me feel completely frazzled at times, it felt very apt that these two pieces were out in the world. |
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Thanks to Harry Pye & everyone at A-Side B-Side gallery & Sara Dziadik & the Shape Arts collective for their hard work. Being given the opportunity to show my work is especially appreciated during a period of ill-health.
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THE WORD IS ART
'The Word Is Art' by Michael Petry has recently been published by Thames & Hudson. I'm delighted to have one of the images from my 'HAME' series included. It was a tribute to my late father, in response to the 'Homecoming Scotland' project. Thanks to everyone involved in creating such a brilliant book. I'm very proud to be a part of it.
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NO PLACE LIKE HOME
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‘New Narratives’ is the latest group show at hARTslane, New Cross, London. The exhibition is part of the hARTslane collective’s ‘Dear London’ project. 'No Place Like Home' is my contribution to the show.
A tower block, uninhabited and stuffed full of fake money, is representative of the many that have started to saturate our local area. Sterile, soulless, invariably left empty, seen by their absentee owners as nothing more than investment opportunities to increase their wealth. In order to put back some of the warmth and humanity that existed before the bulldozers waded in, I’m asking people to take away the money and bring back something in exchange; make this tower block a real home, strip it of its financial assets and transform it into an object of beauty, with heart and soul at its core; fill it with love, warmth, messages of hope, photographs, flowers - anything that represents what you think makes a home a real home, rather than yet another investment unit. You can make your exchange on Wednesday March 21st when there will be an artists talk at hARTslane from 6-9pm. Read more here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2018/03 |
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IN THE FUTURE
Really pleased to be part of 'In The Future' the 25th anniversary exhibition at Collyer Bristow Gallery. The show's title was taken from a David Byrne song of the same name and I was asked to respond to a line from it: 'In the future all material items will be free.' On the opening night, I gave away 30 pieces of 'silver' - but only one of them was a genuine hallmarked piece. Read more about it here: www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2018/03 The exhibition continues until June 14th. Details below: mailchi.mp/422b156c08ff/in-the-future-at-collyer-bristow-gallery-opens-with-a-private-view-on-22-february-2018-full-press-release-invitation |
'30 pieces of silver' (detail) February 2018
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WINTER SALON EXHIBITION
I was really pleased to have three pieces of my work selected and shortlisted by artist Paula MacArthur and guest judge Victoria Howarth for the Winter Salon Exhibition at Rye Creative Centre at the end of 2017.
http://ryecreativecentre.co.uk/exhibitions/
I was really pleased to have three pieces of my work selected and shortlisted by artist Paula MacArthur and guest judge Victoria Howarth for the Winter Salon Exhibition at Rye Creative Centre at the end of 2017.
http://ryecreativecentre.co.uk/exhibitions/
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Left: 'True Colours'
Above: 'Home and Garden' Right: 'Domesticated' |
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SOMETHING BORROWED - UPDATE
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Thanks so much to everyone who borrowed and brought something in return for a cup of sugar as part of the 'Something Borrowed' exhibition which ended yesterday at ARTHOUSE1
I'll be adding more images and some of the associated narrative brought about by the 'Borrow a cup of Sugar' event as soon as I can via my a-n Artists Network blog 'Keeping It Going.' https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1 |
SOMETHING BORROWED
Delighted to be part of this group show at ARTHOUSE1 45 Grange Road Bermondsey London SE1 3BH
The exhibition is on until Saturday 30 September. Full details here www.arthouse1.co.uk/index.html
Delighted to be part of this group show at ARTHOUSE1 45 Grange Road Bermondsey London SE1 3BH
The exhibition is on until Saturday 30 September. Full details here www.arthouse1.co.uk/index.html
BREAD AND ROSES
On June 8th, Theresa May hoped to secure a mandate that would have enabled her to continue with the Conservative Party's programme of cuts - to our National Health Service, welfare, education and other public sector services. In the event, her plans were thwarted when large numbers of people turned out to vote for a very different vision of society, denying May the majority she needed to press ahead with her austerity measures.
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'Bread and Roses' was created in response to the election result of May 2015 to record the impact of neglect caused by the return of a Tory government. It takes its title from a speech by the American feminist and socialist Rose Schneiderman who declared 'the worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.'
Over the past two years, cuts amounting to billions of pounds have seen many people deprived of the basic necessities of life. Increased austerity has meant the poorest and most vulnerable in society have been penalised while the very richest in society - including those whose mistakes were responsible for the financial crash - have continued to increase their wealth. Hopefully, June 8th will prove to be a turning point in the fight against austerity - and in the future everyone will be able to enjoy their fair share of bread and roses. |
Bread and Roses (detail) June 2017
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I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ...
Found image from vintage ballerina book
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My film ‘I Always Wanted To Be …’ is now complete and the blog, which I started in August last year (2016), concluded. ‘Keeping It Moving’ (published on the a-n artists blog website) was created specifically to record the process of making this short film. Grateful thanks to film maker Henrietta Thomas and to a-n The Artist Information Company for funding the project via a professional development bursary. You can read my account of the past five months' work on my blog here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-moving/date/2016/08 |
SHAPE ARTS
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I have recently donated Bad Head Day winner of the Shape Open 2015-2016 to the Shape Collection.
https://www.shapearts.org.uk/news/collection-bad-head-day Shape Arts have also recently added my profile to their list of Shape Artists. https://www.shapearts.org.uk/news/kate-murdoch |
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KEEPING IT MOVING
I've recently started a new blog on the a-n website. It’s called ‘Keeping It Moving’ and will document the process of making a short film. I’ll be working with film maker Henrietta Thomas, drawing on her expertise, and hopefully learning some new skills! The idea for the film is inspired by my collection of vintage music boxes and will focus on the subject of ballet and dance. I will be recording the process in this blog as things unfold - the developing dialogue and creative decision making between Henrietta and myself. This project is supported by a professional development bursary from a-n The Artist Information Company. I’m very grateful to them for the opportunity. You can read my first ‘Keeping It Moving’ post here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-moving |
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GREETINGS FROM NEW CROSS GATE
In response to an open call from the Hartslane gallery for photography which celebrated the New Cross Gate area, photographer John McCormick and I submitted 'Creps.' We're very pleased that it was selected as one of the winning entries.
'Creps' Kate Murdoch & John McCormick, 2016
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Creps (Murdoch-McCormick)
New Cross Gate has areas of real vibrancy and energy and its mixed diverse community gives it the buzz it's renowned for. It's the people who live here and pass through that make the area what it is. The huge Goldsmith's college student population has historically encouraged live music, comedy gigs and other forms of entertainment in the area, maintaining a sense of vitality and excitement in the local bars and restaurants. There is undoubtedly, a New Cross Gate 'scene' - established and historical and hopefully, impenetrable in terms of losing the area's unique character. Nothing stays as it is and indications of change are starting to appear in the New Cross Gate area. The 'Creps' image, portraying trainers suspended from phone wires, represents the more edgy, gritty side of life in SE14, while the image of an ecstatic looking, relaxed youth on a billboard advertising rents from £300 per week, represents another. Amidst pockets of very real social deprivation, the region is showing signs of becoming more gentrified and increasingly recognised (by estate agents, especially) as desirable and 'up and coming.' It's a double-edged sword; 'progress' has its merits but it can also have the potential to destroy communities. It's indicative of what's happening in so many areas in London and yet, like its neighbouring Deptford, there's a sense that nothing, but nothing will ever truly destroy the firmly established local communities of SE14. Kate Murdoch, 2016 |
BREAD AND ROSES
May 2016. One year on, and the rot has well and truly set in.
Bread and Roses was created in response to the election result of May, 2015 and the return of a Tory government. Welfare cuts that will amount to billions of pounds have already seen many people deprived of the basic necessities of life. Increased austerity has meant the poorest and most vulnerable in society have been penalised and carried the burden for the mistakes of those who were responsible for the financial crash.
Bread and Roses takes its title from a speech by the American feminist and socialist Rose Schneiderman who declared 'the worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.' Thanks to the imposed cuts of the past year, many people have been forced to go without either, while the very richest in society have continued to increase their wealth.
May 2016. One year on, and the rot has well and truly set in.
Bread and Roses was created in response to the election result of May, 2015 and the return of a Tory government. Welfare cuts that will amount to billions of pounds have already seen many people deprived of the basic necessities of life. Increased austerity has meant the poorest and most vulnerable in society have been penalised and carried the burden for the mistakes of those who were responsible for the financial crash.
Bread and Roses takes its title from a speech by the American feminist and socialist Rose Schneiderman who declared 'the worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.' Thanks to the imposed cuts of the past year, many people have been forced to go without either, while the very richest in society have continued to increase their wealth.
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HOME TIME
Really pleased to have two pieces of my work included in the group show 'Home Time' at Transition Gallery, Hackney. 'Every Mother's Son' and 'Wrench' will be shown alongside work by artists Alex Michon, Alex Pearl and Corinna Spencer, who has organised the show.
Really pleased to have two pieces of my work included in the group show 'Home Time' at Transition Gallery, Hackney. 'Every Mother's Son' and 'Wrench' will be shown alongside work by artists Alex Michon, Alex Pearl and Corinna Spencer, who has organised the show.
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'In this era of generation rent, political inertia in affordable house building has caused a psychological shift in the home is where the heart is ideal. A troubling sense of unease now resides behind closed doors. Reflecting on this disorientating dislocation, by picking over treasured knick-knacks, considering family histories, looking forwards at sci-fi solutions or clinging to the wreckage of lost utopias, Home Time asks its artists to make responses to the objects which they surround themselves with.'
Read more about 'Home Time': http://transitiongallery.co.uk/htmlpages/Hometime.html Directions and opening times: http://transitiongallery.co.uk/htmlpages/location.html |
'Wrench'
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SHAPE OPEN 2016
'Bad Head Day' was chosen for the Shape Open 2016 prize. I'm particularly pleased it was selected by Shape, as it's an organisation whose work I've always respected and felt very positive about. They supported many of the students I worked with when I was a disability advisor in HE.
The theme of this year's Shape Open is 'My Life' and was chosen by Shape Open patron Yinka Shonibare. The show features the work of 38 artists and is on until February 21st. Details here: https://www.shapearts.org.uk/Event/my-life-shape-open-2016
'Bad Head Day' was chosen for the Shape Open 2016 prize. I'm particularly pleased it was selected by Shape, as it's an organisation whose work I've always respected and felt very positive about. They supported many of the students I worked with when I was a disability advisor in HE.
The theme of this year's Shape Open is 'My Life' and was chosen by Shape Open patron Yinka Shonibare. The show features the work of 38 artists and is on until February 21st. Details here: https://www.shapearts.org.uk/Event/my-life-shape-open-2016
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FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
So pleased to have my Here Today work shown as part of the For What It's Worth group show, an exhibition exploring how artwork is priced and valued. It's at the South Square Gallery, Thornton, Bradford. Other artists participating are Amelia Crouch, Sarah Harris, William Gall, Luke Drozd, Jean McEwan, Beth Rose, Giuseppe Lambertino and Mick Welbourn. The show is on until February 28th. There is a special event night on Friday February 5th from 7-9 pm. Further details here: http://www.southsquarecentre.co.uk/index.php?/gallery/current/ |
Here Today (detail)
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BREAD AND ROSES
Six months ago today, we awoke to the news that a Tory government had been elected. The result meant another five years of austerity, with the poorest and most vulnerable in society being expected to bear the burden for the mistakes of those who were responsible for the financial crash. The push to impose twelve billion pounds of welfare cuts has already led to many people being deprived of the basic necessities of life. Bread and Roses was created in response to the election of May 2015, to document the consequences of neglect.
Six months ago today, we awoke to the news that a Tory government had been elected. The result meant another five years of austerity, with the poorest and most vulnerable in society being expected to bear the burden for the mistakes of those who were responsible for the financial crash. The push to impose twelve billion pounds of welfare cuts has already led to many people being deprived of the basic necessities of life. Bread and Roses was created in response to the election of May 2015, to document the consequences of neglect.
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Six months on, and the signs of decay are very clear. Cuts to tax credits will condemn millions of hard working people to poverty, while cuts to legal aid will deny them access to justice and basic human rights. Wherever you look, it seems that the material and spiritual things we need to sustain us as a society are being stripped away; it's a sad state of affairs. Here's Joan Baez singing the song that inspired this project.
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LIFE OF PYE
A celebration of artist Harry Pye's 42nd birthday. Harry Pye and I have selected 42 objects of affection, which will be shown as part of Life of Pye: Harry's 42 Collaborations launching at the Angus Hughes Gallery on Wednesday August 5th 2015. Details here: http://therebelmagazine.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/you-are-invited-to-opening-party-for.html |
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From Bread and Roses to Bread and Jam! Very pleased to be a part of this group show, opening Friday July 17th 2015:
BREAD AND JAM
The inhabitants of 52 Whitbread Road are pleased to announce Bread and Jam, a simple repast and yet a unique exhibition of work by 11 contemporary artists created and exhibited in a gutted and soon to be refurbished house in a typical Victorian terraced street in Brockley.
BREAD AND JAM
The inhabitants of 52 Whitbread Road are pleased to announce Bread and Jam, a simple repast and yet a unique exhibition of work by 11 contemporary artists created and exhibited in a gutted and soon to be refurbished house in a typical Victorian terraced street in Brockley.
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Each invited artist will be given free rein over their own room to make new and site-specific work in response to the dilapidated and austere surroundings. This is a rare opportunity for artists to experiment and play in an unusual setting without constraints.
Private view: 17th July 2015 6-9pm Exhibition runs: 18th - 26th July 2015 12-6pm (weekdays open by appointment only) Contact: Emma Cousin [email protected] 07841 832501 Press enquiries: Emily Austin [email protected] 07733 321395 |
Address: 52 Whitbread Road London SE4 2BE Transport: Brockley (Overground & Southern), Crofton Park (Thameslink)
Generously supported by Cooper’s Bakehouse and Wild Brockley.
Generously supported by Cooper’s Bakehouse and Wild Brockley.
Bread and Roses is an online piece created in response to the 2015 election result. The return of a Tory government will see another five years of increased austerity, with the poorest and most vulnerable in society being expected to bear the burden for the mistakes of those who were responsible for the financial crash. 12 billion pounds of welfare cuts will see many people deprived of the basic necessities of life.
Bread and Roses #1
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Bread and Roses #2
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Bread and Roses #3
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Bread and Roses takes its title from a speech by the American feminist and socialist Rose Schneiderman who declared 'the worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.' Thanks to the cuts ahead, so many people will be forced to go without either, while the very richest in society continue to increase their wealth.
As I record the decaying condition of Bread and Roses in the weeks and months ahead, it will act as a visual reminder of the consequences of neglect.
As I record the decaying condition of Bread and Roses in the weeks and months ahead, it will act as a visual reminder of the consequences of neglect.
New post added to my 'Keeping it Going' blog on the a-n website:
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2015/03
In the meantime, here are some images of my work 'Sweet Nothings' which was part of the recent group show 'Disturbance.'
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/keeping-it-going-1/date/2015/03
In the meantime, here are some images of my work 'Sweet Nothings' which was part of the recent group show 'Disturbance.'
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Very pleased to be asked to take part in artist Harry Pye's '42 Collaborations' project. Harry and I are currently in the process of collecting and presenting '42 Objections of Affection'. Further details here:
http://www.42collaborations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/collaboration-with-kate-murdoch.html
http://www.42collaborations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/collaboration-with-kate-murdoch.html
Group show 'Disturbance' finished on March 8th, International Women's Day, with a well-attended tea and talk event:
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DISTURBANCE Atom Gallery, 77 Stroud Green Road, London N4 3EG Preview Friday 27 February 6 - 8pm 28 Feb - 8 March Open daily 11 - 6pm Tea & Talk artists’ discussion on International Women's Day Sunday March 8th 2-4pm All welcome Hermione Allsopp | Alexandra Drawbridge | AnnaMaria Kardos Paula MacArthur | Kate Murdoch | Mitra Saboury | Wendy Saunders Susan Sluglett | Geraldine Swayne ‘Disturbance’ is an all-female exhibition chosen to run up to International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March.
‘Disturbance’ draws together work from nine artists. Using different media: sculpture, video, photography, installation, painting, text and performance; the artists take conventional objects or images and disrupt them. Though not necessarily driven by a feminist agenda, all the work is underpinned by a feminine perspective. |
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Painter and curator Paula MacArthur has carefully selected this group of artists both for their alluring and unsettling imagery; and to convey the disturbance thrown up by the complex negotiations facing artists engaged with female identity today. ‘Disturbance’ ranges from painter Susan Sluglett’s lushly painted floral bouquets which have been trashed and trampled, and Hermione Allsopp’s ‘re-made’ sculptures which push at the boundaries of attraction/ repulsion and ideas of taste, to Mitra Saboury’s surprising and sometimes visceral films.
The exhibition showcases high-quality work by contemporary women artists, not espousing a particular feminist line but working within their own practices creating art which moves from the subtly subversive to the overtly challenging. There is humour alongside serious questioning of norms - all combining to provide a feast of visual excitement.
Curated and organised by Paula MacArthur & Wendy Saunders.
The exhibition showcases high-quality work by contemporary women artists, not espousing a particular feminist line but working within their own practices creating art which moves from the subtly subversive to the overtly challenging. There is humour alongside serious questioning of norms - all combining to provide a feast of visual excitement.
Curated and organised by Paula MacArthur & Wendy Saunders.