
Hello,
I’m Ruth - a contemporary British painter based in Sussex, known for creating bold, joyful artworks that celebrate colour, nostalgia, and the rituals of leisure.
I studied Fine Art Painting at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 2002. During my degree, I spent four transformative months at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, where I deepened my visual language and broadened my understanding of European art history. These experiences continue to shape my work today.
Since then, I’ve lived and worked in Glasgow, London and Sussex. The different landscapes and city rhythms have all left their mark on my practice. My paintings are rooted in memory, imagination, and the evocative details of everyday life - whether it’s a retro lido scene, a sun-drenched architectural backdrop, or a chance encounter that leaves an impression.
My work often explores the excitement of escape and the tension between the real and surreal. Each piece is filled with layered imagery and small narrative clues in dreamlike compositions that blend memory with imagination.
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Colour is at the heart of everything I create. I’m always looking for unexpected combinations and emotional resonance - finding the right hue to evoke a feeling or a fleeting memory. My use of colour is instinctive, expressive, and often what makes a piece unmistakably mine.
I’ve exhibited throughout the UK and internationally, most recently at The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica in 2024. My work has also been featured in Saatchi Art’s inaugural NFT collection, marking a new chapter in my practice.
Right now, I’m excited to be showing my most personal collection to date - Endless Summer, a solo exhibition at the iconic Saltdean Lido as part of Brighton’s Artists Open Houses festival. Created specifically for this space, the collection brings together paintings and prints inspired by the joy, rebellion and memory of lido life.
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I’m always happy to discuss commissions, collaborations, or simply answer any questions about my work - feel free to get in touch.
Ruth Mulvie
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