Last week’s Art workshop with the renowned artist Ian Murphy was an exceptional experience for our students and the school community as a whole. Ian Murphy (born 9th March 1963) is a contemporary British fine artist who first gained major recognition when he was selected as one of the British Young Contemporary Artists in 1985. He is widely known for his powerful tonal drawings and atmospheric mixed-media oil paintings inspired by architectural environments.
To have an artist of his calibre—whose workshops and availability are fully booked for the next five years—join us on 4th December was not only a privilege, but also a testament to the growing strength and reputation of our Art and CAT department.
Throughout the day, Ian expressed how genuinely impressed he was by our students’ engagement, skill, and curiosity. He also spoke highly of the warm and welcoming environment here at TKAW, noting how enjoyable it was to work with both staff and learners. His encouragement has left our students feeling inspired, confident, and eager to continue pushing their creative boundaries.
What makes this opportunity even more extraordinary is that Ian has personally offered to make time for our school again at any point within the academic year—a gesture that reflects not only his admiration for our students, but also his belief in the creative culture we are continuing to build. This marks a significant milestone for our department and highlights the value that external professionals see in the work we do.
This workshop has set an inspiring tone for the year ahead, and we look forward to welcoming Ian back in the future as we continue to nurture creativity, ambition, and artistic excellence here at TKAW.