Stuart Murray’s work is highly observational with a strong element of social commentary. Among the themes he has explored/is exploring are gentrification, menial jobs and survival tactics, earning, homelessness and begging, drinking and pub culture. An overall theme that emerges is that of ordinary people trying to survive.

The latest volume of drawings by Stuart Murray has been published by Street Level in a numbered and signed limited edition of 200. Featuring an essay by Alasdair Gray and a previously unpublished story by James Kelman, the book is populated by the beautiful and the grotesque encountered by the artist across some of Glasgow's finest bars. In his introduction to In Pubs, Alasdair Gray writes:
They are drawn with remarkable fairness- Stuart Murray is not weak enough to despise anyone for their weaknesses. The haggard drinker insistently asking “Are ye English? Are ye English?” clearly wants to start a conversation or a quarrel, but is obviously doing it to get away from his anxious, unsatisfactory self. Stuart’s drawing shows this without blaming him for it, and drawing and text perfectly balance each other.

View a selection of pages from the book

'Stuart Murray has self-published a few books recording, with merciless detail, the looks and words of the people who have spoken to him while he has been living and working in his home in Glasgow. Alasdair Gray provides a friendly introduction, while James Kelman writes a short story, telling us what a sensitive man is thinking as he sits in a Glasgow pub, listening and looking. It is a perfect introduction to the horror and the humour that follows. “Never mind! This fuckin cancer’ll be cleared up in a couple of weeks,” says one guy, pint glass in one hand, slapping the bar with the other.'
Duncan McLaren Map Magazine, Issue 13, Spring 2008

‘Frankly we think Murray's work is brill and reckon he could give David Shrigley a run for his money in the popularity stakes if a major book stockist took up the cause. In the introduction to his In Pubs, no less a literary light than Alasdair Gray reckons Murray's razor sharp, tragicomic, spit and sawdust philosophical depictions of working class life and pub culture is right up there with the work of 18th century caricaturist John Kay. So do we. Hopefully it won't be too long before others feel the same.’
Alan Chadwick, Metro Scotland Life 20/3/08

Retailing at £15.00, each copy of In Pubs is signed by the artist. To order you copy of In Pubs, download an order form, complete and send to Street Level Photoworks (full address on our contacts page) with cheque, postal order or international money order. Alternatively you may contact the gallery directly on 0141 552 2151 or email us, or drop into the gallery and pick a copy up.

Download an order form here