Dame Iris Murdoch’s rarely seen artworks go on display in a free UK exhibition; some were only recently discovered

Dame Iris Murdoch is widely recognised for her novels and philosophical writing, but a major exhibition at the University of Chichester is bringing attention to her lesser-known work as a visual artist. The exhibition features a significant number of artworks by the novelist and philosopher, almost all of which have never been displayed publicly before.Some of the pieces have also been recently discovered. Alongside Murdoch’s art, visitors can see personal effects and correspondence that highlight the development of her artistic work in relation to her life and writing. According to the University of Chichester, the retrospective runs from 14 August to 10 December 2026 and marks the tenth anniversary of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre.University of Chichester exhibition showcases Iris Murdoch’s recently discovered artworksThe Otter Collective at the University of Chichester is hosting a retrospective exhibition featuring artworks by 20th-century British artists, including work by Murdoch that is being displayed publicly for the first time. A significant number of her own artworks form the main attraction, with almost all having never been shown publicly before.Some have been discovered recently. The exhibition also includes personal effects and correspondence from Murdoch, highlighting the development of her art in relation to her life and work. Dr Miles Leeson, Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre and Reader in English Literature, said the exhibition reveals a largely unseen dimension of her creative life.What does the exhibition reveal about Iris Murdoch’s creative lifeThe exhibition brings together Murdoch’s own artworks, personal correspondence and pieces by artists connected to or inspired by her. According to Dr Miles Leeson, the exhibition offers fresh insight into the relationship between art, philosophy and literature that shaped Murdoch’s thinking. He said her creative work continues to inspire new generations of artists and scholars.He also highlights her achievements as a visual artist, which have often received less attention than her writing and philosophical work. By presenting many of her artworks to the public for the first time, the retrospective offers visitors an opportunity to encounter this aspect of her creative life.How does the exhibition showcase artists connected to Iris MurdochThe exhibition includes works by British artists connected to Murdoch, including Margaret Benyon, Barbara Dorf, Rachel Fenner, Sargy Mann, Tom Phillips, Reynolds Stone and Harry Weinberger. Their artworks are displayed alongside contemporary pieces inspired by Murdoch by Kevin Petrie, Carol Sommer and James Jefferies. The collection brings together artists whose work is connected to Murdoch with contemporary creators influenced by her.Alongside these works, Murdoch’s own art, personal effects and correspondence form an important part of the retrospective. The exhibition highlights her influence on contemporary culture while bringing greater public attention to her work as a visual artist.University of Chichester marks 10 years of Iris Murdoch Research Centre with exhibitionThe retrospective celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre at the University of Chichester. The exhibition launch was scheduled for 13 August at the university library on the Bishop Otter Campus. The Twelfth International Iris Murdoch Conference followed at the university from 14 to 16 August 2026.The exhibition itself is open to the public free of charge from 14 August to 10 December 2026. Dr Miles Leeson, who directs the research centre, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to showcase the collection and celebrate Murdoch’s achievements as a visual artist. The exhibition brings her artworks together with personal correspondence and work by artists connected to or inspired by her.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.