Worlwise Diversity Art Series｜Ian Murphy workshops
Information provided by Mr Mackay, Biology Teacher, Assistant Head (School Development)
Last week, Ian Murphy visited Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou to work with our Young Artists from Year 10 and PAL as part of the EiM Live Worldwise Diversity and Arts Series.
Ian Murphy is a contemporary British Fine Artist who gained initial success with selection to the British Young Contemporary Artists in 1985. He is best known for his powerful, tonal drawings and atmospheric, mixed media oil paintings of architectural places.
Each group spent a full day in a fast-paced, studio-style workshop, experiencing first-hand how a professional artist develops ideas from initial sketchbook studies through to larger, resolved pieces. Students began by exploring Ian’s sketchbooks, gaining insight into the earliest stages of his creative process before applying these approaches in their own work.
Through continuous live demonstrations, students observed how drawings evolve through layered techniques using graphite, ink, collage, and paint. They worked on multiple pieces throughout the day, starting with small-scale studies and progressing towards larger development drawings, building confidence as they experimented with texture, composition, and scale.
A defining feature of the workshop was its pace. Students were encouraged to work quickly, take risks, and embrace experimentation, mirroring Ian’s own studio practice. By working across several pieces at once, they refined ideas, responded to feedback in real time, and overcame technical challenges with increasing independence.
Students produced several pieces using mixed media, applying techniques introduced throughout the day. This experience will benefit them in the future by broadening their horizons and reinforcing that not all artwork needs to be careful and precise to be powerful and effective.
CarlBinstead, Head of Art, reflected: “What's particularly exciting is that our students have the opportunity to work with an experienced and internationally renowned artist. They collaborate, share ideas and gain a much deeper understanding of the creative process, as well as how art is approached at university level. Experiences like this give our students the confidence to think differently about their work and to push beyond their usual boundaries.”
This experience exemplified the Dulwich Difference, enabling students to Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life through authentic engagement with professional artistic practice.