Alice McMurrough
In my artwork, I create connections. I use distortion, metaphor and symbolism in a context free from chronological time and precise place. I intertwine memories of personal events with contemporary issues, family legends, cultural myths and religious fables.
Objects, colour and scale are employed for symbolic reasons. I aim for an attention that children have for the world, before ritual and maturity strips life of its daily magic.
The resulting images display theatrical characters on stage-like sets, inviting open narratives and subjective interpretations. They help me make sense of the world.
Training
1973-1977 Glasgow School of Art- DA
1977-1978 Glasgow School of Art- Post Graduate Studies- Commended
1978-1979 St Andrews College of Education- Diploma of Education
Awards
2022 Awarded 2nd Prize, Aberdeen Artists Society
2018 IFAC Award, Paisley Art Institute
2016 Short listed: W Gordon Smith Award, Edinburgh
2015 Edinburgh Art Shop Award, Royal Scottish Academy
2014 The Bessie Scott Award, Paisley Art Institute
2013 Elected RSW
2013 Dalrymple Award, Inaugural Maclaurin Annual Exhibition, Ayr
2013 Elected RGI
2013 Elected PAI
2012 Anne Stevenson Memorial Award, East Dunbartonshire Council
2012 Joe Hargan Award, Paisley Art Institute
2011 James Torrance Award, Royal Glasgow Institute
2010 Glasgow Art Club Fellowship Award, Paisley Art Institute
2008 Art Hire Prize, Paisley Art Institute
2007 East Dunbartonshire Council Purchase Prize
2002 D.Muirhead Purchase Prize, Royal Scottish Academy
1978 D.Sommerville Award Glasgow, School of Art
1977 Awarded Post Graduate Studies, Glasgow School of Art
Regular exhibitor in RSA, RSW, PAI and RGI Annual Exhibitions.
Work in Royal Scottish Academy and East Dunbartonshire Council collections and private collections in Scotland, England, Italy, Spain and USA.
After teaching Art and Design for 30 years I left the profession in 2007 to enable me to concentrate on my own artwork. In 2013, I was awarded Diplomate member in Paisley Art Institute also The Royal Glasgow Institute and The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. Recently I have joined Glasgow Print Studio and am enjoying the challenges of etching. Since the 1990s I organise, with my husband Neil Macdonald, Painting Holidays in Scotland, Spain, Italy and France.
