Alan Murray
Alan Murray (b. 1971, London) is a self-taught painter working primarily in oils on linen and wood.
Painting directly from observation, his still lifes explore light, colour and the quiet presence of everyday objects. His work draws upon the traditions of classical painting while embracing a contemporary, increasingly intuitive approach.
With a professional background in image-making and three-dimensional visualisation, Murray brings a developed understanding of form, light and composition to his painting. Careful observation provides the foundation, while expressive brushwork, broken edges and passages left deliberately unresolved allow the paintings to retain a sense of immediacy.
His work has been exhibited in London, including at The Other Art Fair, and is held in private collections.
Wnen does a painting begin?
Sometimes a painting begins long before the first brushstroke.
It might begin when I encounter an object whose form, colour or character captures my imagination. I can already see it becoming part of a painting, perhaps alongside something quite unexpected.
At other times, it begins in the studio, building a stretcher and preparing the linen. I take considerable care over the materials and surfaces I work on. This preparation is as much a part of the process as the painting itself.
Working directly from observation, I allow the painting to develop through a balance of careful looking and intuition. Some passages become fully realised, while others are left loose or unresolved.
Knowing when to leave something alone is perhaps one of the most important decisions I make.
