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