Ross Muir

Born in 1981, Ross Muir grew up in Alexandria in the Vale of Leven, Scotland before moving to Glasgow in 2009. Muir was aged 30 when he started his artistic practice, a spark ignited after having received a set of paints as a gift,. Seeking solace in painting, his raw talent and ingenious creativity quickly shone through, leading him to pursue art full-time.

A shape-shifter of both artistic genre and style, Ross Muir is known for his witty re-imaginings of historical paintings. From Basquiat and Magritte to Rousseau and Picasso, Muir does not just embody an artist in brushstroke and style but also in spirit. His first breakthrough came in 2018, when his contemporary rendition of the Dutch impressionist Vincent van Gogh, entitled Square Gogh, went viral on social media, which saw many galleries and institutions interested in his work.

In October 2019, Muir had his first solo exhibition in Glasgow’s City Centre. The exhibition was a tremendous success, sold-out before the doors even opened. A second exhibition was also planned for 2020, but unfortunately, it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This, however, did not deter Muir. Throughout the first national lockdown, Muir turned his practice to the streets, with posters of his signature Vincent Van Gogh portrait - featuring the words ‘Jist Gogh Hame’ - appearing all over the city of Glasgow. As a message that was both witty and incredibly relevant, Muir’s artwork resonated with its onlookers and soon garnered international attention through social media. In December 2020, Muir’s work was recognised by the official Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands, with the institution proudly posting Ross Muir art on their Instagram account to announce the temporary closing of the gallery.

In 2021, Maddox Gallery proudly earned representation of Ross Muir, exhibiting his first solo show in London in May 2022, entitled 23: A Brush with Redemption. Following this, Muir returned to the gallery with another sell-out exhibition, further solidifying his reputation and receiving continued critical praise. His work continues to be exhibited and collected, with pieces finding a home in prestigious public institutions like Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery and Turner Contemporary last year.