About

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Katrina J. Murray is an interdisciplinary artist whose conceptually driven practice explores the emotional and physical human condition, with particular attention to identity, power, vulnerability, and the cultural forces that shape our understanding of ourselves and others. Working across painting, sculpture, and mixed media, she draws on personal experience and contemporary life to examine the tensions between individual differences and shared human needs.

Murray studied painting and art history at Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis, Indiana, and spent time studying in Italy. Her perspective has also been shaped by living in West Germany during the mid-1980s, where encounters across cultural and linguistic boundaries left a lasting impression of the common needs that connect people despite their differences.

The death of her son, who was killed by an improvised explosive device during the Iraq War in 2005, marked a profound turning point in her life. Returning to Herron, she embraced art as a means of navigating grief and learning to live with loss. Following a motor vehicle accident and mild traumatic brain injury approximately a decade later, she again turned to art as part of her recovery, exploring the possibilities of creative practice in rebuilding cognitive function and adapting to change.

These experiences continue to inform Murray’s investigations into human nature, resilience, and the complexities of contemporary culture. Her work has been exhibited nationally and is represented in institutional collections, including Eskenazi Health, the IU Health Neuroscience Center, Indiana Humanities and Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Originally from the historic arts community of Brown County, Indiana, Murray lives and works in Indianapolis. Murray’s work draws from personal experience to help us consider current moments.

Collections of note:
Eskenazi Health, IU Health Neuroscience Center, Community North Hospital, Indiana Humanities, Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF).

Selected Exhibits & Experience:
2024 The Language of Flowers (Solo Exhibit), Edington Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2022 Art Prize, DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
2022 This is us (Solo Exhibit), Gallery 924, Indianapolis Arts Council, Indianapolis, IN
2021 Sum of Unity, Curated By Samuel Levi Jones, Eleanor Prest Reese Gallery - Herron School of Art & Design, Indianapolis, IN
2020 Pandemic Research Interactive Exhibit (Ceramic Portraits) (Solo show), Schwitzer Gallery, (CCIC), Indianapolis, IN
2016 View from Within, Mark Borghi Fine Art/Keyes Art Consulting, New York, NY
2016 Asphaltum (Artist & Curator), Schwitzer Gallery, (CCIC), Indianapolis, IN
2015 Performance art collaboration, Music & Mark Making, Independent Music + Art Festival
(IMAF), Indianapolis, IN
2015 Hoosier Salon vs. iMOCA, Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, Indianapolis, IN
2016 & 2014 Art from the Heartland, Biennial, Indianapolis Art Center, Jurors: Mindy Taylor Ross and Sarah Urist Green, Indianapolis, IN
2016 Rock, Paper, Hammer (2 person show), Schwitzer Gallery, (CCIC), Indianapolis, IN

2012-to 2015 Painting Instructor, Herron School of Art & Design's Creative Learning Program, Indianapolis, IN
2014 Speaker, SOFAexpo for Codaworx, Topic: IU Health Neuroscience Public Art Installation, Chicago, IL 2011
2011 Artist Assistant, Expedition Bogota-Indianapolis, Danielle Riede and Alberto Baraya, Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA)
2011 Attended the Venice Biennial, Venice, Italy,

Selected Awards & Grants:
2020-21 Creative Renewal Arts Fellow of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, IN
2017 Award of Excellence - 119th Annual Exhibition by Richmond and Area Artists, Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN
2011 International Experience Scholarship, Study abroad, Italy