Featured Artist - Rebecca Murphy

Rebecca will be showcasing a limited edition tea towel at The Tea Towel Exhibition, opening Friday 6pm 30th July at The Serpentine Gallery - Lismore.

Now, I recently laid eyes on this particular tea towel design and I have to say I was more than impressed. Rebecca Murphy's tea towel design is cool, clever and colourful! Have a look at her website and you will see that she is a dedicated practitioner with a string of exhibitions and projects to her name. She has designed CD covers, had art published in magazines and has her art placed in exciting places.

Check out www.rebecca-murphy.net and be inspired!!!!!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?
 
I've always been creative and making things. In school I was that kid who doodled in all their books and got in trouble for working on slightly unacceptable projects, like setting up a "tattoo" shop at recess by the library. It was really just drawing on kids arms with pens and markers - dragons and tribal designs and so on, but it got so popular I started doing it at lunch time as well. I didn't have any time to actually eat anything, and the vice-principal shut me down over parents concerns.
 
After high-school I briefly studied graphic design at uni before dropping out and trying my hand at a variety of un-related jobs. I still doodled and did a little painting just for me, but nothing serious. Then about 3 years ago I reached breaking point and changed my life - I ended my relationship of 10 years, quit my job, moved house, and decided to do what I was passionate about. I enrolled in a fine arts course, met some great people, and entered my work in to an exhibition. I haven't looked back since!

What is your favourite thing you like making and why?

Anything that challenges me. I mostly paint and draw, but I recently started sculpting and I dig that too.

How would you describe your artistic style?

A bit girly, a bit gory.

What inspires you?


I'm a bit of an inspiration slut, to be honest. I get inspiration from everything. I'm always looking, reading, watching.... At the moment I'm particularly drawn to old school medical texts, Japanese mythology, origami, and candy.

What are you most proud of professionally?

My work has been featured in magazines, on TV, and around the web. I've shown my work in galleries around Australia, I've won prizes and recognition. But I'm most proud, professionally, when someone loves my work so much that they take it home with them. I want to touch people, and when I do that, it's fantastic. I have a letter on my fridge from a 7 year old who wrote to me just to tell me they dig my stuff.

What would be your dream project?

I'd love to open my own gallery.

How important do you think getting your work on the web is these days compared to say, 10 years ago?
 

Getting your work on the web is a great way to get more people looking at and interested in your work. It's also wonderful for getting your work in front of galleries. A lot of people these days will ask for your website before they ask what galleries are currently showing your work.

I have noticed that you have organised a few exhibitions. Can you tell me about your favourite show? Why? Where? What?

My favourite would have to be the first show I organized solo, This Little Teapot. It involved 25 artists each modifying a small ceramic piggy bank. The show was such a success that I'm currently organizing a second show along the same vein, with twice as many artists, who will each be modifying small ceramic teapots.

Do you have a favourite tea towel in your collection?
 

My favourite tea towel (from third drawer down) recently up and died. I'm planning on replacing it with a blossoming deer tea towel from Puddin' Head.

http://www.puddinhead.com.au

Are you a collector? What? Favorite pieces.....?


I collect random kitsch and art. My favourite piece of random kitsch is a plush lucky carebear with a pirate eye-patch. My favourite piece of art is a limited edition print "Kishi Bojin" by Yoko d'Holbachie.

What is your favourite travel adventure? Where? What happened?

I went outback to visit a relative in spring years ago. The air is so clean. Drinking rainwater, catching yabbies, riding horses bareback, and riding around in the truck learning how to spot transplantable bee swarms. He's a beekeeper, it was pretty awesome learning a bit about the biz.

Your favourite place in Sydney to shop?

Op shops! Sydney has some great op shops, and you never know what you're going to find.

What is you favourite food/meal? Where did you eat it?
 

At the moment, it's perfect weather to stay home and have roast lamb and veges.

What is your favourite art gallery in Sydney? Where is it?

I can't choose just one, there are so many great spaces in Sydney. My favs are China Heights, Monstrosity, aMBUSH, Somedays, Monster Children, Gaffa, National Grid, and Outre. But I'll happily go wherever the good shows are

What's the best thing about living where you live?

I live in Cronulla, which is about as far south as you can get and still be in Sydney. My place is a nice little two bedroom flat right by the beach. The whole place has a friendly touristy vibe and there's always something going on.

www.rebecca-murphy.net