Drummond Murphy

South Africa

• Artist Statement
  • “Looking up” is a series of paintings in the realistic style of mainly iconic Art Deco buildings in Cape Town and Durban. This was period when a lot of the decoration was placed on the tops of these buildings. We have become so accustomed to intently staring down at our cellphones as we walk through town that if we just took the time to look up then we might be surprised and delighted by what we see!
• Biography
  • N Dip Textile Design.
    
    My background is in Textile Design and I studied at Leicester Polytechnic in the UK for 3 years whereupon I returned to South Africa and designed fabrics for the local industry, clothing manufacturers and major retailers.
    
    I returned to fine art spending 2 years at Ruth Prowse in part time modules. I then joined Swainsyard Studios under the guidance of Paul Birchall to further develop my style. I still paint once a week at the studios otherwise I work from my studio at home.
    
    I have exhibited my art work at the Dorp Street Gallery in Stellenbosch, Chandler House, the Alliance Francaise  and  Roussouw Modern in Hermanus.
    
    Selected Exhibitions:
    
    2017
    SASA at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town
    Bouchard Finlayson Fynarts
    Roussouw Modern
    
    
    2016
    Swainsyard Studio Exhibition at Alliance Francaise, Cape Town
    Chandler House, Cape Town
    Dorp Street Gallery, Stellenbosch
    AVA Cape Town
    Art in the Park, Cape Town
    SASA Exhibitions Kirstenbosch
    
    
    
    
• Interview
  • Which new trends or South African artists do you find inspiring at the moment?
    Painting or drawing which moves between illustration and fine art. Like book illustration these images instantly capture a moment of drama, humour, fantasy and reflection. The style is youthful,  fresh, light and never overworked.  
    
    Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why?
    My Uncle William Mitcheson Timlin who left my family a legacy of beautiful paintings and illustrations. My prized possession is a copy of his book “The ship that sailed to Mars” which is inhabited by fairies, goblins and not so fearsome monsters of the galaxy. His artworks remain a benchmark of excellence for me.
    
    Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?
    Two exhibitions had had an impact in 2017.
    The Royal Academy Summer Show in London where your average “Joe & Jane Bloggs artist” can submit their work for sale and exhibition. These artists exhibit in the same space as the luminaries of the RA and more than held their own, often drawing bigger crowds to their works.
    Another was the  David Hockney exhibition in the George Pompidou Centre in Paris. Whilst his earlier seemed serious and somewhat gloomy, once he reached California, colours exploded into life and light and shadow took on new meaning in the heat of the West Coast sun. Being in the right space and place (Cape Town in my life) has a huge impact on your vision.
    
    Where do you get your inspiration for your work?
    Any image that makes me feel happy or just good. I hang every painting on my own walls for a long period of time and enjoy them first before submitting them for exhibition. My rationale is that if love them, hopefully someone out there will too.
    
    Do you have any rituals or habits involving your art-making that you can tell us about?
    I work in studio once a week in a group and am also mentored during these periods. I thrive on seeing other artists at work and discussing their pieces. I am fully open to positive ideas, influences and criticism at the studio as it is invaluable to have more than “one set of eyes”.
    
    What do you like most about being an artist?
    Getting lost in the creative process rather than the end result. The end result is never as perfect as the image that you originally saw in your head so you just have to battle your way with paints and brushes that don’t always do what you want them too and a have a laugh at yourself whilst the process unfolds.
    
    How do you handle bad days when you experience artist's block?
    Will let you know when that hits me – so far, so good !
    
    What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
    Placing 2nd in the Bouchard Finlayson Fynarts competition in June 2017.
    
    Do you feel that you want to make a difference to the world or in people's lives? If yes, how?
    Everything in one’s home is mass produced, furniture, kitchen appliances etc. Original art is uniquely special as it has been created by someone believing that it will enhance someone else’s  life. When working my own exhibitions I’ll never forget the feeling when people buy my works and excitedly tell me why they like them and where they are going to hang them.
    
    What are your plans for the coming year?
    Don’t plan – let your instincts guide you, but also be in tune with the marketplace.