Purdey Williams was born in London in 2000. Her painting’s are led by narratives constructed in the studio, often engaging with objects and figures integral to the artist’s life. The works can be read as poetic experiments in storytelling. She is compelled by painting’s capacity to transform a space and offer up other worlds.
EDUCATION
2018-19 Royal Drawing School Foundation Diploma
2019-2022 Glasgow School of Art Painting and Printmaking BA First Class Hons
2024-45 Turps Off-Site Program
EXHIBITIONS
2019
Selected to draw at a Prince’s Trust Reception, Buckingham Palace
Royal Drawing School End of Year Show, London
Dumfries House Exhibition, Dumfries
2020
‘BFA Student Show’, Serving The People, curated by Lucien Smith, virtual
‘Something Nice’, Instagram Exhibition
‘Sexhibition Group Show’, Deanston Gallery curated by Rachel Marston, Glasgow
2021
‘Loose Ends’, The Whisky Bond curated by Purdey Williams, Rowan Bazley, Bruno Diaz, Louis Baillie and Ruby Kuye-Kline, Glasgow
‘Pop Up Show’, The Blue Chip, Glasgow
‘Stuck’, The Glue Factory, Glasgow
2022
‘Figures in Motion’, The Pipe Factory, curated by Purdey Williams, Rowan Bazley, Bruno Diaz, Amanda Seibaek, Aaron Rigal, Jameela Gordon-King and Leon Scott Engel, Glasgow
‘The Living Room’, The Old Hairdressers, curated by Tasha Thomas, Glasgow
‘RBA Rising Stars’, Royal Overseas League, London
Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, Glasgow
‘Unbaked Bread’, D Contemporary, curated by Bruno Diaz
2023
‘Parade’, The Studio, London
‘Fever’, Bow Arts, Flat 2, Langdale curated by Purdey Williams
2024
‘Fine Tooth Comb’ (Part of Tellus Triannual), Greatorex curated by Rowan Bazley, Daniela Maria Germade and Flow Bracey, London
‘Shape of Shape’ The Split Gallery curated by Rowan Bazley, London
‘Studio Show’ London
2025
‘In A Land’, The Handbag Factory curated by Nancy Pilkington, London
‘Cubitt Studio Show’, curated by Paul Hamlyn and Purdey Williams, London
2026
Ravens Cry, The Crypt Gallery, curated by Serpentine.iii, London
Anniversary Event, The Crypt Gallery, curated by Serpentine.iii, London
AWARDS/RESIDENCIES
2023 New York Studio School, Drawing Marathon with Ilse Murdock and guests, New York
2024 Cyprus College of Art Summer Studio, Cyprus
2024 Denise Israel Scholarship, Rome Art Program, Rome
2024-25 Turps Off-Site Program, London
PUBLICATIONS
Artwork published in the Cambridge Journal of Visual Culture, Issue 1, Spaces
OTHER PROJECTS
Creative Lead, Landscape and Memory Workshop in Abergavenny, 2026
Member of Artist Collective Serpentine.iii (2025)
Audio-visual group who combine French baroque music with live painting performance and improvised electronic pieces. The group recently conceived and performed ‘The Labyrinth & The Grotto’, a Continuo Foundation-supported film and live concept that took place over the Summer.