MICHAEL MURFIN BIO

b. 1954

​

Born in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, Michael Murfin has always been fascinated with observing the world around him, and by the process of turning these observations into pictures. He has described himself as being, from a very young age, a compulsive picture maker; someone who would inevitably take up a career in the visual arts.

He trained at Leicester, Trent and Birmingham Polytechnics between 1972 and 1977. In 1978, one year after completing his art education, he was commissioned by Imperial College, London, to paint the portrait of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Abdus Salem. In the same year, he became one of four artists to take part in the Radlett Gallery's "Four Young Realists" exhibition; a year later his work was to be found in the Tolly Cobbold/Eastern Arts exhibition.

In 1990, he took on the role of visiting lecturer at the University of Guelph, Ontario and also that of Artist in Residence at Oundle School, Northamptonshire. Such early successes in his career pointed the way to Michael's present standing as an artist of international repute, whose career includes nine one-man exhibitions.

Michael's work is steeped in the traditional skills of observation, drawing and painting. His subject matter varies, from Italy to equestrian, although he is exceptionally well known for his paintings of men working. His series based on the construction of London's Millennium Bridge received considerable acclaim for the way in which he used the structure of the bridge to frame men at work.