

EXHIBITION DETAILS
Cathays Gallery is delighted to present the latest works by Malcolm Murphy, alongside his much-loved depictions of Cardiff’s landmarks.
This marks Malcolm Murphy’s second exhibition at Cathays Gallery, following the success of last year’s show. The exhibition also features works by David Lewis and Francine Davies, together with highlights from our ongoing collection.
Over the past year, Murphy has developed a striking new style that merges his street art and graffiti roots with depictions of monumental cultural icons. Through this dialogue between tradition and urban expression, his work explores what endures and what is lost within the human cultural and urban experience.
Alongside his new work, Murphy is also exhibiting his much-loved depictions of Cardiff’s streets. Widely recognised for their detail and intimacy, these paintings continue his ongoing documentation of the city with both precision and personal insight. Having begun his artistic journey as a teenage graffiti artist, his lived experience of creating in the streets of Cardiff has evolved into a practice that captures the spirit and memory of place.
Influenced by his immediate surroundings, Murphy’s work blends the visual languages of renaissance sculpture, photorealism, graffiti, and 1960s signage, resulting in a body of work that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in cultural history.
Opening
Saturday, 20th of September, 2025
10:00am
Ongoing until
Saturday, 20th of December, 2025
Admission: Free
Opening Reception – Meet the Artist
Saturday, 20th of September, 2025
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission: £5 (includes wine and light canapés)
Location
Cathays Picture Framing & Gallery
177 Malefant St
Cardiff
CF24 4QG (directions).
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Cathays Gallery is delighted to present the latest works by Malcolm Murphy, alongside his much-loved depictions of Cardiff’s landmarks.
This marks Malcolm Murphy’s second exhibition at Cathays Gallery, following the success of last year’s show. The exhibition also features works by David Lewis and Francine Davies, together with highlights from our ongoing collection.
Over the past year, Murphy has developed a striking new style that merges his street art and graffiti roots with depictions of monumental cultural icons. Through this dialogue between tradition and urban expression, his work explores what endures and what is lost within the human cultural and urban experience.
Alongside his new work, Murphy is also exhibiting his much-loved depictions of Cardiff’s streets. Widely recognised for their detail and intimacy, these paintings continue his ongoing documentation of the city with both precision and personal insight. Having begun his artistic journey as a teenage graffiti artist, his lived experience of creating in the streets of Cardiff has evolved into a practice that captures the spirit and memory of place.
Influenced by his immediate surroundings, Murphy’s work blends the visual languages of renaissance sculpture, photorealism, graffiti, and 1960s signage, resulting in a body of work that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in cultural history.
Opening
Saturday, 20th of September, 2025
10:00am
Ongoing until
Saturday, 20th of December, 2025
Admission: Free
Opening Reception – Meet the Artist
Saturday, 20th of September, 2025
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission: £5 (includes wine and light canapés)
Location
Cathays Picture Framing & Gallery
177 Malefant St
Cardiff
CF24 4QG (directions).
THE ARTISTS

MALCOLM MURPHY
Malcolm’s artistic journey began in his teenage years with the raw energy of American graffiti. Its bold lines, colours and freedom of expression left a lasting mark on his imagination. Over time, he expanded his practice into traditional sign writing and oil painting, building a foundation of craftsmanship that would later merge with his early street art influences.
Today, Murphy creates striking works that bring together graffiti and classical art. Renaissance-inspired figures, such as Michelangelo’s David, appear against graffiti-covered backdrops, uniting two traditions often seen in opposition. This collision of styles reflects both continuity and disruption: the refinement of realism set against the immediacy of spray paint. By merging past and present, tradition and rebellion, Malcolm explores how art evolves while questioning its role in contemporary culture.
“I have been lucky enough to learn over the last 4 decades a showcase of past and present skills a melting pot or celebration of combination of styles.”
THE ARTISTS
MALCOLM MURPHY
Malcolm’s artistic journey began in his teenage years with the raw energy of American graffiti. Its bold lines, colours and freedom of expression left a lasting mark on his imagination. Over time, he expanded his practice into traditional sign writing and oil painting, building a foundation of craftsmanship that would later merge with his early street art influences.
Today, Murphy creates striking works that bring together graffiti and classical art. Renaissance-inspired figures, such as Michelangelo’s David, appear against graffiti-covered backdrops, uniting two traditions often seen in opposition. This collision of styles reflects both continuity and disruption: the refinement of realism set against the immediacy of spray paint. By merging past and present, tradition and rebellion, Malcolm explores how art evolves while questioning its role in contemporary culture.
“I have been lucky enough to learn over the last 4 decades a showcase of past and present skills a melting pot or celebration of combination of styles.”

FRANCINE DAVIES
Francine’s journey as an artist is rooted in her lifelong connection to the natural world and her academic background in Human and Physical Geography. Living along the Heritage Coastline in Ogmore by Sea, and as a daily cold-water swimmer, she draws constant inspiration from the sea and surrounding landscapes. Entirely self-taught, her practice has developed from a fascination with how art can connect us more deeply to the environments we inhabit.
Her recent work reflects a growing response to the impact of plastic waste along the coastline. What began with acrylic painting has evolved into incorporating found plastics within her compositions, provoking conversations around pollution and its effect on coastal wildlife. In parallel, Francine has been exploring natural pigments and traditional paint-making methods, creating her own tools and mediums using materials sourced directly from the earth. This transition marks not only a change in her process but also a reaffirmation of her belief in art as a catalyst for awareness, connection, and environmental change.
“I strive to connect us to the energy in things that are so easily overlooked, an energy that holds the quiet imprint of what has always been and will always remain.”


DAVID LEWIS
David is an artist deeply inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the Welsh coastline, its sweeping landscapes, and the dynamic energy of the urban environment. Working primarily in oil, he explores the interplay of light, colour, and form, creating bold compositions where complementary hues and abstract shapes take centre stage.
His work is driven by a fascination with the emotional resonance of colour and its power to evoke memory and atmosphere. Whether capturing the restless energy of the sea, the quiet drama of a storm-lit headland, or the rhythmic geometry of a cityscape, David seeks to distil the essence of a scene rather than merely represent it.
Brushwork and texture are vital to his process. Through layered strokes and expressive marks, he builds depth and movement, allowing his paintings to oscillate between realism and abstraction.
“My work explores how colour holds emotion and memory. In sea, headland, or cityscape, I try to capture something enduring, present before us and lasting beyond.”
DAVID LEWIS
David is an artist deeply inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the Welsh coastline, its sweeping landscapes, and the dynamic energy of the urban environment. Working primarily in oil, he explores the interplay of light, colour, and form, creating bold compositions where complementary hues and abstract shapes take centre stage.
His work is driven by a fascination with the emotional resonance of colour and its power to evoke memory and atmosphere. Whether capturing the restless energy of the sea, the quiet drama of a storm-lit headland, or the rhythmic geometry of a cityscape, David seeks to distil the essence of a scene rather than merely represent it.
Brushwork and texture are vital to his process. Through layered strokes and expressive marks, he builds depth and movement, allowing his paintings to oscillate between realism and abstraction.
“My work explores how colour holds emotion and memory. In sea, headland, or cityscape, I try to capture something enduring, present before us and lasting beyond.”

ABOUT US
Cathays Gallery is a contemporary art showroom located in heart of Cardiff at 177 Malefant St, Cathays. The Gallery opened in 2019 and since presented over 500 pieces by independent Welsh artists.
Visit the exhibition
Cathays Picture Framing & Gallery is located in the area of Roath Park and Cathays Cemetery.
We are at the very end of Malefant St, recognisable by our iconic purple fence with free parking on premises.
While appointments are not required, booking in advance ensures that we can dedicate our time and attention to you.