A sculptor living near Chysauster in west Penwith, Lawrence Murley specialises in carving animals from serpentine, which is found on the Lizard peninsula. He also uses marble sourced from quarries in Ireland, Turkey or the USA. His pieces have a lustrous finish.

Before taking up sculpting full-time in 1997, Murley worked in tin mining at Geevor. After marrying, he and his wife spent a few years living in the USA, where their children were born. On returning to Cornwall he became committed to his art practice, and has been rewarded with representation by a number of galleries, and sales of his work in the USA. Exhibiting venues include the New Craftsman Gallery in St Ives, Trelissick Gallery in Feock, Tregony Gallery on the Roseland peninsula and the Customs House, Porthleven.

He is an expert at karate and a proficient surfer, having taken up the latter at the age of 47.

Murley's mother is the highly regarded sculptor Theresa GILDER.