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Morag Caister (b.1994) is a British artist represented by London based gallery RHODES. Known for her expressive figurative paintings that explore existential themes through contemporary portraiture, her artwork is quietly bold, delving into timeless themes and cyclic patterns inherent in human nature with a tender affection.

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Caister graduated with a BA in Painting from the University of Brighton in 2019, and gained national recognition in 2022 when she won Sky Arts' "Portrait Artist of the Year" competition, leading to a commission to paint British icon Sir Lenny Henry. This achievement propelled her onto Forbes' "30 Under 30 Europe: Art & Culture" list and earned her a place in the Evening Standard's "Art Power List 2023." Since then, her work has been featured in collections such as the National Portrait Gallery, Glyndebourne and Soho House.

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Caister's artistic practice is characterized by intimate live sittings, where she captures the essence of her subjects through intricate, emotive lines and a thoughtful, sparing use of color. Her figures are often framed with loose brushwork, emphasizing how bodily compositions and postures offer a glimpse into inner worlds. This approach invites viewers to connect deeply with her subjects, fostering a sense of shared human experience. 

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Caister has held solo exhibitions, including "Looking For Peace" in Tirana, Albania, and has participated in group exhibitions internationally with galleries such as Delphian Gallery, Stowaway Gallery, Blue Shop Gallery, and RHODES London. She has also been a finalist in several renowned awards, such as the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize, Herbert Smith Freehills Award (formally BP Award) and The Curators EROS Project Award. In 2024, she presented her solo exhibition "Peacetime" at Rhodes Contemporary Gallery in London, continuing her exploration of human nature and connection.

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Education

University of Brighton, BA, Painting, 2019

Brighton Metropolitan College, Foundation, Art & Design, 2014

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Exhibitions

2025

London, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair: Summer Edition

Canada, Toronto, Gallery 1888

France, Paris, Galerie Augustin Doublet- 'A Glimpse Of Another Life' (Solo)

US, Los Angeles, Stowaway Gallery - 'In The End I'd Rather Wonder Than Know'

2024

London, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

US, Miami, Rhodes Contemporary Gallery - 'Untitled Art Fair'

London, Copeland Gallery - 'The Cass Art Prize 2024'

London, Delphian Gallery - 'Open Call Winners 2024'

London, Rhodes Contemporary Gallery - 'Peacetime' (Solo)

London, The National Portrait Gallery - 'The HSF Portrait Award 2024'

London, Rhodes Contemporary Gallery - 'Embraced'

Glyndebourne, Glyndebourne Festival - '90 Years At Glyndebourne' 

2023

London, Rhodes Contemporary Gallery - 'Origins'

London, London Print Club - 'Blisters'

Somerset, Babington House - 'Babington House Art Fayre'

London, The National Portrait Gallery - 'Portrait Artist of the Decade: Portraits of Judi Dench'

London, Unit 1 Gallery - 'Take My Hand'

London, The Hoxton Gallery - 'AOAP x Jack Trodd Auction'

2022

Albania, Tirana, Gallery 70 - 'Looking For Peace' (Solo Exhibition)

Sweden, Stockholm, Gallery 70 - 'Supermarket Art Fair'

London, Blue Shop Cottage - 'WOP4'

London, The Truman Brewery - 'The Other Art Fair'

Warwickshire, Compton Verney Art Gallery - 'Portrait Artist of the Year: The Exhibition', curated by Kathleen Soriano

Rochdale, Touchstones Gallery; Sheffield, Millenium Gallery; Sunderland Museum - The Football Art Prize touring exhibition

2021

Glyndebourne, Gallery 94 - 'Fairground I'

London, Mall Galleries - 'Figurative Art Now'

Brighton Fringe - 'ALTERED'

Glyndebourne Arts Festival, Gallery 94 - 'Forces of Nature'

Brighton Fringe - 'Artists Open Houses'

London, Ruth Borchard Collection - 'Self-Portrait Prize 2021'

London, Blue Shop Cottage - 'WOP3'

London Paint Club - 'Fresh Perspectives'

2020

Glyndebourne, Gallery 94 - 'Fairground'

London, Mall Galleries - 'ING Discerning Eye 2020'

Albania, Tirana, Destil Arts Centre - 'Allie, Joe, Morag'

2019

London, The Truman Brewery - 'Free Range'

Brighton, The University of Brighton - 'Degree Show'

Hove Museum - 'Material Practices'

Albania, Tirana, Destil Arts Centre - '…&…'

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Prizes, Shortlists & Residencies

The Michael Harding Award for Oil Painting, UK, 2024

The Cass Art Prize, UK, 2024 (shortlist)

Delphian Gallery Open Call, UK, 2024

Herbert Smith Freehills Award, UK, 2024 (shortlist)

NG Art Creative Residency, France, 2024

NG Art Creative & Galerie Heimat Award, France, 2024 (highly commended) 

Evening Standard Art Power List, UK, 2023

Jackson's Painting Prize, UK, 2023 (longlist)

Forbes 30 Under 30, Art & Culture, Europe, 2023 (candidate)

Portrait Artist of the Year: Season 9, UK, 2022 (winner)

Partnership Editions Open Call, UK, 2022 (winner), selected by Yomi Adegoke

The Football Art Prize, UK, 2022 (shortlist)

EROS Award, The Curators, New York/France, 2021 (winner), selected by Diana Widmaier Picasso

Self-Portrait Prize, Ruth Borchard Collection, UK, 2021 (shortlist)

Portrait Artist of the Year: Season 7, UK, 2020 (semi-finalist)

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Collections

The National Portrait Gallery, London 2023

Cecconi's Bicester Village, Soho House, 2022

Brighton Beach House, Soho House, 2022

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Selected Press & Interviews

2024

Art Plugged: Morag Caister Debut Solo Exhibition - 'Peacetime'

2023

Evening Standard: Art Power List 2023: Meet the 31 movers, shakers and picture-makers reinvigorating the city’s art scene

Glass Magazine: Glass delves into portraiture with Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, Morag Caister, by Phoebe Minson

Harper's Bazaar: Inside Elizabeth Day's laid back South-London Home

Pure Arts: Interview

2022

Cassart: Portrait Artist of The Year: Series 9, Exclusive Winner's Interview

Making A Mark: Winner's Episode, Painting Sir Lenny Henry, Review

Soho House: Artist Spotlights: Anastasiia Fedorova Interviews Morag Caister

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Broadcast

Storyvault, Sky Arts, Portrait Artist of the Decade, UK, 2023

Unity House, Sky Arts, Stories from the National Portrait Gallery, UK, 2023

Storyvault Films, Sky Arts, Portrait Artist of the Year Series 9, UK, 2022

Storyvault Films, Sky Arts, Portrait Artist of the Year: The Exhibition, UK, 2022

Storyvault Films, Sky Arts, Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7, UK, 2020

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