Elizabeth Rose Murray
Studio 3
12 November 2021 to 29 January 2022

Elizabeth Rose Murray’s writing – whether for children, young adults or adults – is always deeply embedded in themes of place and belonging. From adventure stories to personal essays to nature writing, a key element of her work – both fictional and factual – is how the self functions within a given locality, the boundaries presented as a result, and ways to overcome or bend those limitations.

She is also dedicated to exploring the writing and reading process; how we write and why, the ways writing happens off the page, what impacts the themes we write about, and how others respond as a result. Elizabeth has a deep interest in probing the liminal spaces between expectation and possibility; investigating words as private experience, art, and political outlet, while seeking ways to make the written word more accessible for all.

Elizabeth’s residency at Uillinn will be focusing on the impact of environment on the written word and its presentation. Inspired by the gallery building, exhibitions and communities, as well as the town of Skibbereen and the wider West Cork area, she will be using a multi-faceted approach to explore how landscape can shape not only the stories that we have to tell, but also the way those words can be presented to readers on the page.

A highly exploratory residency, Elizabeth will be using a retro typewriter, experimenting with a variety of paper and found media, to investigate the possibilities of words as conduits; a way to connect with and respond to the world around us and convey our place within it. There will also be an illustrative element, experimenting with different ways to attract a reader and elicit responses.  

By the end of the residency, Elizabeth will have created a series of playful and experimental new fiction and non-fiction pieces based on the Uillinn building, its exhibitions, and local community. She will also generate some visual records that demonstrate the writing process from an idea’s kernel to the finished piece. 

Elizabeth Rose Murray is represented by Sallyanne Sweeney of MMBCreative, London, writing in multiple genres for children, young adults, and adults. Her books include Caramel Hearts and the award-winning Nine Lives Trilogy; The Book of Learning (Dublin UNESCO Citywide Read 2016, listed on Junior Cycle English reads, optioned for TV), The Book of Shadows (shortlisted Irish Literacy Association Award & Irish Book Awards), and The Book of Revenge.

Competition shortlists include the Francis McManus, Irish Times, and Aesthetica Creative Works short fiction competitions. Recent anthology and journal publications include Women on Nature (May 2021), The Elysian: Creative Responses, Reading the Future, Autonomy, Popshots, Banshee, Terrain, Not Very Quiet, Ropes, and Channel Magazine.

A recipient of an Arts Council Bursary in 2018 and a Professional Development Award in 2020, Elizabeth’s previous residencies include Gulkistan - Iceland, Tyrone Guthrie Centre - Ireland (awarded by Children’s Books Ireland), Obras Portugal, Varuna - Australia (awarded by Tyrone Guthrie Centre), Greywood Arts - Ireland, and Mauser Foundation - Costa Rica.

Elizabeth is also an experienced event facilitator, providing hundreds of creative writing and book-related events every year, working with festivals, arts centres, schools and libraries to foster a love of creativity and reading.  She lives in West Cork.

Twitter: @ERMurray
Facebook: ERMurray.Author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethrosemurray/
Website:  www.ermurray.com

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and Cork County Council in making these residencies possible.