About

Marie Murphy is an Irish, contemporary multidisciplinary artists based in York, England.

Drawn to the urban landscape her work explores hidden and unnoticed spaces and buildings, as well as some famous modern landmarks. Her minimalist approach to form sees her abstracting shapes and shadows to bring into view harmonised urban scenes.

Through the use of layering she creates definition, while subtle shading adds a sense of ephemerality. These contrasting methods engage the viewer in the landscape that is both rooted in reality but open to interpretation.

Her paintings with their limited uses of flat blocks of colour, subtle shading and striking angles portray a sense of modern serenity. The viewer is compelled to look more closely at the sharp lines and the negative space in which they can navigate around and imagine their own version of her contemporary reality.

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Marie is now at a pivotal point in her practice. While the urban landscape remains a foundational influence, she is beginning a research-led phase that turns inward towards the internal landscapes of motherhood, creative interruption, and perceived failure. This emerging work reframes what is often described as the “motherhood penalty,” not as an ending, but as a site of learning, depth, and creative potential.

Through a combination of academic research, writing, public talks, and visual artmaking, Marie is looking to develop new work that brings personal experience into public dialogue. This process will inform her next body of work, shifting her visual language towards a more emotionally grounded and expressive register.