ANTHONY MURPHY
Biography
Born in 1956, Anthony Murphy’s youth was spent amidst the hustle and bustle of London and the serenity of Suffolk, but his twenties were dedicated to the verdant isles of Ireland. However, for over a quarter of a century, Anthony has called the rolling hills of Southwest France his home. His abode, perched atop a hill, resembles the grand Ark, a refuge for his wild spirit. The land bears the unmistakable mark of his Irish heritage, with old farm implements adorning the fields, bathtubs nestled amidst the greenery, and vast skies stretching as far as the eye can see. As you traverse the paths, winding through sleepy French hamlets and wooded lanes, its as if the world fades away, and you’re embraced by a realm of magic.
Anthony’s sanctum, a studio perched above the old stables, is a portal to his enchanting world. At the end of the barn-like chamber, a bed beckons by a wood-burning stove where the artist slumbers. Overhead, a pair of budgerigars flit and chirp amongst the cobwebbed rafters. The floors bear testament to his art, a tapestry of paint-covered rags. Tables are strewn with tubes of paint, oil pastels, and once-pristine coats, now worn for warmth during winter painting sessions in the studio.
In this realm of wonder, canvases lean against chairs and boxes, works in progress with untold stories. half-finished compositions in charcoal, depicting the lives of turf cutters and laundry girls, landscapes, and horse fairs, reflect both his French and Irish heritage. Each brushstroke is a portal, a glimpse into the heart of this enchanted realm.
Amidst the swirling vortex of the studio’s chaos, two gems gleam with a stillness that speaks f order. The first, a collection of well-tended brushes, poised by the easel, a testament to the mastery of craftsmanship that accompanies the art of painting. The second, a veritable feast for the eyes, an array of oil colours, carefully graded on palettes, each hue a symphony of light and shadow. Herein lies a great truth, for Anthony Murphy’s work, though imbued with a Fauvist simplicity, bears witness to a rare talent honed over three decades of dedication. To become a master of colour is a feat few achieve, yet Murphy has conquered it with a plomb. His paintings are a vibrant celebration of light and colour, each brushstroke a testament to the harmony and contrast that illuminates his work. You can see the influence of his pastel drawings in the bold brushstrokes of his oils, each stroke an immediate reflection of the artist’s vision.