Murphy's work is interdisciplinary, using a diverse range of media, skills and techniques. Much of his work is concerned with creating a dialogue with our surroundings and each other. Using familiar objects and themes he depicts the world around us, altering the original context of subjects so they appear simultaneously both familiar and unfamiliar, encouraging or stimulating a sense of questioning from the viewer.

 

Seats of Power series :

A series of work looking at social structures and hierachy. Murphy uses the 'chair' to illustrate how everyday items are used to confirm and reinforce social hierachical networks and status. The Beckhams used thrones in their marriage to illustrate pseudo power and regalness. In many offices and workplaces the manager sits on a better chair than members of their team. In institutions from train stations to prisons, chairs are used to convey economic power or subservience rather than comfort. This series of work is made up of 8 paintings and 8 chairs.

 

Portrait of an Artist :

A series of work exploring the issues of identity. Murphy tries to pare down the visual information that contributes to our sense of our own personal identity. With a person's identity becoming a politicised issue in our society and news reports focusing on everything from hoodies to burkas never before has so much importance been given to just how much visual information contributes to a person's identity and stated intentions. Referencing artists fascintation with self portraits throughout history from Rembrandt to Marc Quinn, Murphys 'Portrait of an Artist' series sets out to strip away various aspects of our visual identity, leaving just enough to still have a recognizable ‘self' image. Just what is it that visually signifies me from you?

 

 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

 

2007

• The Space Between, Clock Tower Gallery, Sheffield
• New Work, Friar Lane Gallery, Nottingham

2006

• Portfolio Gallery. Barnsley

2003

• Tampopo, Leeds

2001

• Cooper Gallery, Barnsley

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

 

2008

• Buy Art, Urbis, Manchester
• BCAF, Battersea, London

2007

• Comme Ca Group Exhibition, Lowry Hotel Gallery, Manchester Prelude
• Spitalfields, London

2006

• Group Show, Friar Lane Gallery, Nottingham2006
• Off the Shelf. Saltburn Gallery, Saltburn by the Sea
• Objects in Waiting. End Gallery, Sheffield
• Host:06. North Light Gallery, Huddersfield
• Yorkshire Open Art Exibitions 1994 - 2000

 

 COMMISSIONS

• Barclays Capital Bank, Canary Wharf, London
• Digital Media Centre, Barnsley

 

AWARDS

• Arts Council Individual Artist Award, 2007
• Arts Council Individual Artist Award, 2001

 

STUDIES

• Sheffield Norton College, Degree Graphic Communication
• Barnsley College of Art