Amy Dury

UK-based painter Amy Dury works with oils to create evocative and nostalgic works of art. Combining elements of realism with occasional abstract and gestural brushwork, Amy’s figurative paintings have a distinct atmosphere to them. Each of Amy’s works have their own colour scheme, sometimes sticking to a palette of sombre blues, and at other times consisting of rich reds and earthy browns.

Education and Career

Amy began her artistic education in 1997 at Glasgow School of Art, where she studied Fine Art Printmaking. From here, Amy went on to do an MA in Fine Art at Brighton University. Amy's experience in printmaking continues to inform her practice today, from her vast and spacious backdrops, to the patterned motifs that make their way onto her canvases. Recent notable events include being shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award (2020) and accepted for the 2021 Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Amy has exhibited widely, and in March 2021 was asked by the Tate to paint a livestream portrait session, where she painted a portrait of Cornelia Parker to an audience of 130K.

Amy Dury’s Style

Amy cites artists such as Degas, Doig, Donachie and Singer Sargent as some of her greatest influences. Her style acknowledges each of these artists in a thoughtful and original way, from the moody feel of Doig’s figurative paintings, to the incisive observation of the human body she shares with Degas. Many of Amy’s paintings are portraits that tell stories, whilst gesturing towards an overarching narrative. Paired with her poetic and somewhat allusive titles, Amy’s paintings are open to nostalgia, interpretation and a host of narratives.