I'm an abstract painter inspired by natural forms - from tropical flowers, to water, trees and foliage. I love working with colour and find it uplifting and energising both in my own work and other peoples'. I live in Melbourne with my family, working from my home studio. Feel free to get in touch about commissions or studio visits.
Artist Statement
Utilising a process of distillation through photographs and watercolour pencil studies, Kate Murdoch plays with the essence in her subjects.
Inspired by the purity of nature, her abstractions find an emotion beyond visual representation. Immersion in gradual and precise layering of pigment means the paintings feel like complete worlds. In this way, her process is as vital as the result.
Kate is interested in how the natural world is formed through order and disorder,
its every aspect an interplay between these two forces. From microscopic plants to galaxies, this dance is crucial for understanding our place in the cosmos. The universe is not just an arbitrary collection of matter, but an organized and interconnected system.
Along with these ideas, Kate invites the viewer to reflect on solace within nature as our pace of life accelerates.
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Training
Bachelor of Art (Fine Art) majoring in painting
Monash University 1995
Diploma of Arts (Graphic Arts) RMIT 2000
Prizes and Awards
2004 Finalist, Wyndham City Contemporary Art Prize,
Werribee, Victoria
2008 Finalist, Port Lincoln Art Prize, South Australia
2008 Finalist, Stanthorpe Art Prize, Queensland
2009 Finalist, Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize,
Newport, Victoria
2009 Finalist, Corangamarah Art Prize, Barongarook, Victoria
2010 Finalist, Corangamarah Art Prize, Barongarook, Victoria
Artist Residencies
2025, Skopelos Foundation for the Arts, Skopelos, Greece
Solo Exhibitions
2026
Cosmic Forms, fortyfivedownstairs Melbourne (forthcoming)
2002
‘Versiform’ Goya Galleries, Melbourne, with Martin Hodge
Richmond Library Display Case (CAS), Richmond, Melbourne
1999
‘Reflections’ Gallery 5, St Kilda, Melbourne
1997
‘Synergy’ Royal Women’s Hospital, Carlton, Melbourne (Fringe Festival)
Group Exhibitions
2026
‘Winter Salon’ Gallery Lave Cove + Creative Studios, Lane Cove Sydney
‘Red Art Prize’, Red Gallery, Fitzroy
‘SikoraArts Inaugural Exhibition for Abstract & Minimal Art 2026’, https://www.sikoraarts.com/, virtual exhibition
2025
'Beyond City Limits', MAVA Collective, The Old Auction House Gallery, Kyneton Victoria
‘FAC Open Exhibition - For Art’s Sake’ Cube 37 Gallery, Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
2024
‘Intersecting Visions’ Advantage 26 Gallery, Highett
‘Emerging Artists Summer Exhibition’ Quadrant Gallery, Hawthorn
‘Self-Identity’ Fitzroy Art Collective, Fitzroy
2011
Contemporary Art Society Annual Exhibition, Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Caulfield
2010
Corangamarah Art Prize, Otway Estate Winery, Barongarook, Victoria
'A Matter of Perception' Vic Art House, Fitzroy
2009
Winter 09 Show, Blue Door Gallery, Gasworks Art Park, Albert Park
Blue Door Gallery@Gasworks, Artist in Residence, Gasworks Arts Park,
Albert Park
Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize, Substation, Newport, Victoria
Corangamarah Art Prize, Otway Estate Winery, Barongarook, Victoria
2008
Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Queensland
Port Lincoln Art Prize, South Australia
2007
'Melb 5' Bob Curtiz Contemporary Movement Gallery, Berlin Germany
2005
'Soundscapes' Fresh Gallery, Fitzroy
2004
The Collector's Show, Steps Gallery, Carlton
Wyndham City Contemporary Art Prize, Wyndham Community
Cultural Centre Werribee
Melbourne Affordable Art Fair, Royal Exhibition Buildings (Bungay Art House)
2003
Manyung Gallery April Show, Manyung Gallery, Mt Eliza
Contemporary Art Society Annual Exhibition, Eckersley's Open Space Gallery, Melbourne
'Melbourne Salon Show' Gallery 314, Richmond
2002
'The Red Show' Jackman Gallery, St Kilda
'Postcard Show 2002' Linden Arts Centre & Gallery, St Kilda
2001
'Postcard Show 2001' Linden Arts Centre & Gallery, St Kilda
Contemporary Art Society Annual Exhibition, Eckersley's Open Space Gallery, Melbourne
2000
'Postcard Show 2000' Linden Arts Centre & Gallery, St Kilda
Roar Studios Annual Exhibition, Roar Studios, Fitzroy
Contemporary Art Society Annual Exhibition, Melbourne
1999
First Settlement Gallery, Sorrento
Antipodes Gallery, Sorrento
Contemporary Art Society Members Exhibition, Melbourne
'New Members Exhibition' Victorian Artist's Society, Melbourne
1998
'Integrate' The Lounge, Melbourne
1995
'Monash Graduate Show' Charles Nodrum Gallery - Richmond