Conor Murgatroyd’s obsession with history fuels his colourful and allegorical paintings

Few artists reference the past with such a commanding wit. Conor Murgatroyd shows us how it’s done as he intertwines a multitude of characters and objects he’s come into contact with, as well as recognisable landscapes that will make you want to explore. “Understanding the past allows me to make sense of my tangled web of influences.” Every piece feels existential, as the characters are often looking head on as if there is a camera and they are breaking the fourth wall.

Originally from Bradford, Conor came to London to study at Chelsea College of Art, 10 years ago. His paintings fuse a wide range of inspirations including still life pieces and flower-rich landscapes, alongside captured images of the past. They are bustling with patterns, pets, indoor plants and repeated objects making them particularly surreal. “My paintings are distinctively British in their appearance. But, it can be recognisable to everyone because of how we transfer our emotional memories onto objects.”