Surge

Murillo’s surge works (2018–present) are characterized by layers of frenetic marks built up on canvas or paper to create a thick impasto, often obscuring the content and information beneath. The gestural marks reflect both the surge of energy used to create the works and the ability of water to flow indiscriminately, without regard to maps or borders, conjuring a utopian and cautionary vision of contemporary geopolitics.

The series debuted in 2019 at Kettle’s Yard, in a presentation that led to the artist’s nomination for and eventual winning of last year’s Turner Prize, which he shared with the other short-listed artists.