Born in Belfast, Rita Duffy attended the Art and Design Centre and the University of Ulster. Her art is often autobiographical, and reflects on Irish identity, history and politics. Duffy was awarded the Gold Medal, Royal Ulster Academy of Arts in 2006. Her work is held in public collections including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; Ulster Museum, Belfast; Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb; The Drawing Museum, New York; and the Office of Public Works, Dublin.