About
John Murphy-Woolford is a painter, printmaker and collage artist who has lived and worked in London for 30 years. His practice comprises almost exclusively of still life images. He works directly from life, observing and recording his subjects, depicting objects which are easily accessible.
John is interested in using traditional still life subjects in new ways to re-examine questions of mortality and beauty. He wants to challenge what we are prepared to invest and lavish attention on, prompting further questions and reflection on our own expiration and how we may live better with this knowledge.
Statements
Death, memory, beauty and their influence and effect on life is the main theme I have been investigating. There is a vibrant dichotomy between our engagement with life, in all its richness and beauty, and a knowledge of our mortality. The latter, if examined can have an energising effect on the former. It is this resonance which interests and excites me. Locating my work within the Still Life tradition, I am investigating how notions of death or decay can be depicted positively, prompting a more thoughtful evaluation of how questions of mortality can enrich life rather that scare, worry or depress.
My practice over the last 3-4 years has involved painting and collage in equal measure, complemented with occasional prints.
Working from direct observation, the careful act of looking and reflection records an image intended to encourage a quieter contemplation on this universal theme and I am most satisfied when there is a three-part dialogue between me, the subject and the image as it is made. I am less interested in strict mimicry and want to find something beyond this which makes the image both immediately recognisable and strange, as though encountered for the first time.
Recent work depicts the transforming appearance of flowers from fresh cut to a point well after they are normally kept and enjoyed. These images question what we value, label as beautiful and invest attention on. They are familiar and easily accessible, which I like as I want to make my images as accessible as possible, open for critical discussion as well as for non-specialist audiences.
Their transient, deteriorating appearance and fragility remind us of our own mortality, prompting further questions and reflection on our own aging and how we may live better with this knowledge.
For further statements regarding images in ‘Death is not an Artist’ gallery, click below.
CV
Education
Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry. BA(hons) Fine Art. 1985-88.
Falmouth School of Art. Falmouth. BTEC Diploma General Art and Design. 1983-85.
Solo Exhibitions
2009
Significant Simplicity. Lensky Gallery, Gloucestershire.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
Parker Harris ING Discerning Eye Competition. Mall Galleries. London.
Reflections. Qube Gallery, Oswestry.
Open ISO. Old Lockup Gallery, Derbyshire.
2018
Between Friends. St Stephen Church, London.
2017
Let Go. Takt Kunstraum Tapir, Berlin.
Haihatus International. Haihatus, Finland.
2016
Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize. Mall Galleries, London and Guilford House Gallery, Surry.
Columbia Threadneedle Prize. Mall Galleries, London and Palazzo Strozzi, Florence.
2014
BP National Portrait Award. National Portrait Gallery, London and Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Mall Galleries, London.
2009
Group Show. The Architects Gallery, London.
2007
Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Mall Galleries, London.
2006
Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Mall Galleries, London.
2005
BP National Portrait Award. National Portrait Gallery, London and Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
Residencies
Haihatus. Joutsa, Finland. 2017.
Takt A.I.R. Berlin. 2017.
Publications
Murze Arts Magazine. Issue 5, March-April. Pages 38, 40.
500 Portraits. BP Portrait Awards. 2011.
Public Discussion / Interview
‘Portraiture Today.’ BP National Portrait Award. In partnership with Cass Art. Islington, London 2014.