Born Leeds1959.I grew up in Liverpool and Durham before going to Art School in 1978.I live by the sea in Broadstairs with my wife Sue my two children Ben and Michael and dog Rocco. I have built a studio in my garden where I try and work every day.I utilise traditional early medieval techniques and materials such as gold leaf and egg tempera to create beautiful and authentic religious images most of which are for sale if you call me on 07967275425 or e-mail murphype@aol.com
In recent years, inspired by Russian ‘Parsuna’ icons, such as the famous icon of the infamous Tsar Ivan IV, I have been making iconic portraits of my musical heroes, those who have engaged, inspired and enraptured me over the years, including Elvis, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and naturally for someone raised in Liverpool in the 1960’s, The Beatles.
Some of the images have the appearance of medieval Russian icons, with a highly stylised appearance and ornate pseudo- Cyrillic inscriptions. Others seem more akin to early or pre-Renaissance Tuscan altarpieces, with richly ornate stamped and tooled gilding, bright jewel like tempera colours and a more naturalistic modelling of clothing and features.
These images are not intended to be regarded as icons in the true liturgical sense of the word, but neither are they simplistic or ironic post modern comments on the current conflation in the media of the words ‘icon’ and ‘celebrity’. These images are painted in the light of my personal faith and the Orthodox Church’s belief that we each bear within us the true image of God; we are each made in his image and likeness, no matter how far we stray, no matter how tarnished our halo, or tattered our wings.
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