Charlie Murphy (artist)
Charlie Murphy is an artist currently based in London, UK, whose work includesphotography, sculpture, video and participatory events. Her work has been presented in galleries and museums both in the UK and internationally, including the Venice Biennale 2005, Tate Modern, London’s Science Museum and The Science Gallery , Dublin. She is based at ACAVA studios, London and has been as ArtSway Artist Associate since 2003.
Trained in fine art and photography, Charlie Murphy is best known for her work exploring intimacy, sexuality and the competitive aspects of human nature. Through photographic, performative and sculptural processes, video, installations and live art events, Murphy creates contexts in which a variety of people are invited to perform. Murphy is drawn to sensual and territorial behaviours and to the rituals and customs of rural and domestic life.
Recurrent materials in her practice include glass, light, fibre-optics, photographic papers and emulsions,latex and ribbons. Certain aspects of her practice involves the participation and contributions of a large number of people.
Murphy lectures in Photography atKingston University, the University of Gloucester, the Arts University College at Bournemouth and the University of East Anglia.
EDUCATION
MA in Fine Art (Photography), Royal College of Art, 1999.
WORKS
Country Dancing on the Circle Line (2004)
Seaside Sheep Show (2006)
Opening: a performance and sculptural installation.
Salute: an ongoing performance work for tall ships, involving maritime training, aerial and dance choreography and research and training project in flying trapeze.
Kiss-ins: Since 1999, Charlie Murphy has been collecting kisses from all over the world by asking participants to donate their kisses. Murphy and her assistants invite couples, friends, and strangers to kiss for 90 seconds, while a dental alginate sets in their mouths. These casts are then turned into glass sculptures through an series of positive and negative mould making processes.
“Each mouth and way of kissing creates a unique expression of desire; a wet writhing form delivered like a birth from their mouths” [Charlie Murphy]
Show Multiples refer to Murphy's Rosette Multiples, which appropriate and celebrate the conventions of country fairs, agricultural and sporting events by creating awards for unrecognized achievement and allegiance.
The Anatomy of Desire (1999- 2010) This project presents experiences and dialogues of intimacy and desire through a series of glass sculptures, video and latex works exploring erotic spaces and expressions.
The Big Wheel (2008) Live Cartwheel Chain performance on London’s Millenium Bridge
The Art of Tickling Trout and other Sensual Pleasures (2003) Over 22 short videos present the handling, stroking, rubbing, milking and harnessing of animal assets through a sculptural installation of projections, related artefacts and research material. These present insights into the relationships and dynamics involved in the handling and controlling of animals.
Linnaeus A series of glass sculptures on the plant sexuality within the botanical collections of The Museum of Garden History and The Linnaean Society. Interpreting a famous illustration of Linnaeus’s ‘Sexual System’ by ‘Ehret’ from 1736.
Plant Harlotry photogram series (2004-ongoing) These photograms reference early 'photogenic' drawings by Fox Talbot and trompe l'oeil
REFERENCES
The Anatomy of Desire, published by text+work, the Arts University College at Bournemouth, 2010. Includes essays by Luce Irigaray, Leonore Tiefer and Alistair Gentry. ISBN 978-0-901196-41-5
Plant Harlotry, booklet published to accompany exhibition at Dissenters' Chapel, 2007
Sugarcoated, ArtSway, 2006, ISBN 978-0954393076
The Art of Tickling Trout and Other Sensual Pleasures, ArtSway, with essay by Kathy Kubicki, 2003, ISBN 978-0954393014
Rosette Contribution to Fash’n’Riot, Artist Limited Edition publication toured in British Council exhibition, 2002 & 2004
The Glass Border, exhibition catalogue, Danielle Arnaud Gallery, London, 1999
Light Sensitive, York City Art Gallery, 1998
Everyone In Farnham,Cornerhouse & James Hockey Gallery, Farnham 1994
Charlie Murphy at Plymouth Arts Centre