Katie’s first solo exhibition goes on show

KATIE Murray, winner of last year’s Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival open art competition, has raised the curtain on her first solo exhibition.
Expressions of a Dawn Chorus is a collection of pen on paper drawings building on the piece by the same name which won Katie the title in last year.
It is at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery until September 10 and admission is free.
Her work is inspired by her experiences in different environments, from witnessing the dawn chorus to the sounds of a still forest or of the suburbs.
By wearing a blindfold and reacting to the sounds around her, the work is a direct response to the moment.
Katie said: “Since I won last year I have been making lots more work and feel good about the outcomes.  This is my first solo show and it’s really exciting.”
Katie’s job as an outdoor educator, currently in Hong Kong, provided her with the inspiration she needed to expand her body of work and improve her skills.
“I spend so much time in the outdoors, hiking and climbing in the mountains and kayaking on the sea for work and pleasure that I wanted to create some artwork as a reflection of my experiences.
“This all began while listening to the dawn chorus one morning: I started making marks on a small sketch pad and it went from there.
“My ambition is to continue enjoying making artwork and to get more opportunities to exhibit.”
Derek Dick, outreach and engagement manager at the museum, said: “Katie’s work impressed judges at last year’s festival so we were delighted to offer her a solo exhibition.
“This year’s Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival returns in October and we are again inviting artists of all ages and abilities, professional or amateur, to enter for the opportunity to win a solo exhibition.”
Entries for the open competitions in art and photography can be submitted from Friday July 29 until Friday August 26 at www.warringtonartsfestival.co.uk