Oscar Murillo was born in 1986 in La Paila, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Raised in a small town with a strong sense of community, Murillo's early life was characterized by the vibrant culture and socio-economic struggles of his homeland. His family moved to London, England, when he was ten years old, seeking better opportunities. This relocation profoundly influenced Murillo, as he found himself navigating the complexities of a new cultural and social environment while maintaining strong ties to his Colombian heritage.
Murillo pursued his passion for art at the University of Westminster, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2007. He furthered his education at the Royal College of Art in London, completing his Master of Fine Arts in 2012. During his time at the Royal College, Murillo began to develop his distinctive style, characterized by a mix of painting, video, installation, and performance art.
Oscar Murillo's work is marked by a blend of abstraction and figuration, often incorporating elements of his personal history, cultural identity, and socio-political commentary. His pieces are known for their dynamic energy, expressive brushstrokes, and the use of unconventional materials. Murillo frequently explores themes of globalization, migration, labor, and cultural exchange, reflecting his own experiences as an immigrant.
His paintings often feature text, drawings, and collaged elements, creating layered compositions that invite viewers to delve into the complexities of his narrative. Murillo's work is also known for its performative aspect, with the artist sometimes creating pieces in situ or involving the community in the artistic process.
Murillo gained significant recognition with his participation in the 2015 Venice Biennale, where his work was featured in the main exhibition, "All the World's Futures," curated by Okwui Enwezor. This exposure propelled him onto the international art stage, leading to numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide.
Some of his notable works include "Manifestation" (2015), a large-scale installation that transformed the Serpentine Gallery in London into a chaotic studio space, and "A Mercantile Novel" (2014), a performance piece that recreated a candy factory inside David Zwirner Gallery in New York, highlighting issues of labor and production.
Murillo's work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Haus der Kunst in Munich. His pieces are also part of major public and private collections, including the Rubell Family Collection in Miami and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
Oscar Murillo has received several accolades for his contributions to contemporary art. In 2019, he was one of the joint winners of the Turner Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the art world. The jury praised his ability to engage with social and political issues through his multidisciplinary practice.
Despite his global success, Murillo remains deeply connected to his roots in Colombia. He frequently travels back to his hometown, where he engages with the local community through art workshops and collaborative projects.