22 August 2009 to 4 October 2009

A square painting in blues and greens with a red tree shape atop a flat brown structure by artist Idris Murphy.

Image: Idris Murphy Weipa Harbour Storm Clouds, 2005, acrylic and collage on board. Courtesy the artist.

Idris Murphy is one of Sutherland Shire's leading artists. His work cross references and incorporates influences of Aboriginal artists such as Kitty Kantilla and Ginger Riley; European artists Henri Matisse and Giorgio Morandi; New Zealand artist Colin McCahon and white Australian artists Fred Williams and Sidney Nolan.

However, Murphy maintains his own unique singular vision, particularly in his approach to the land and his use of medium (being largely responsible for the introduction of iridescent paint into mainstream use). Murphy’s approach to painting is a study in the psychology of visualising the land and transforming the immediate image to an emotive distillation of form, colour and content.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: Idris Murphy: I & Thou, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.