Line and Color
Courtney Murphy

MudFire Gallery's exhibition Line and Color asks what happens when drawing and painting departs from a two dimensional canvas format into the third dimension, etched permanently on functional and sculptural ceramics. The ten artists included in Line and Color - Annette Gates, Cara Gilbert, Courtney Martin, Courtney Murphy, Diana Fayt, Jay Jensen, Julia Galloway, Kelly Sullivan, and Liz Zlot Summerfield - stand out in the field of studio ceramics with their mastery of this exhibit's namesake formal design elements. By redefining the painted surface, these artists create fine art located at the intersection of painting, sculpture, and utility.

Line and Color is on view at MudFire Gallery April 5 - May 3, 2008. The opening night reception will be held from 5-9pm on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

Courtney Murphy Artist Statement

I seek to create objects that are simple and graceful. I enjoy the process of scratching into the clay to draw my images. Because of this process, each piece I create is unique; there is a slight variation in each drawing. I am intrigued by the variation found in hand-made objects; a slight change in the profile or image on a cup determines whether a person will be drawn to one over another. It is interesting when a particular object speaks to me, and I decide that I'd like to have it in my life. My hope is that people will find this intimate relation and connection with the pieces that I create and decide to welcome them into their lives and everyday routines.

Courtney Murphy Resume

Education

Post-Baccalaureate degree in Ceramics, 2004
Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

BA in Sociology, cum laude, 1999
Boston University, Boston, MA

Residencies & Workshops

Residency, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts
Asheville, NC (April 2007- April 2009)

Residency, Guldagergaard International Center for the Ceramic Arts
Skaelskor, Denmark (September- December 2004)

"Printing on Clay" workshop with Paul Scott
Skaelskor, Denmark (2004)

"Figurative Sculpture" workshop with Paul Andrew Wandless
Penland, NC (2004)

Exhibitions & Shows

2007

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Civic Center, Asheville, NC

River Arts District Studio Stroll, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC

2006

"Orton Cone Box Show," NCECA exhibit, Georgie's Ceramic Supply, Portland, OR

"Group Show," Albina Press Coffeeshop, Portland, OR

"Alumni & Resident Show," NCECA exhibit, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

2005

"Craft Biennial," Hoffman Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

2004

"Network Europe," Guldagergaard Gallery, Skaelskor, Denmark

"Collections and Perceptions," Studio 4030, Portland, OR

"Oregon College of Art & Craft Thesis Show," Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery, Portland, OR

"Fourth Annual National Juried Cup Show," Gallery 138, Kent, OH

"Juried Student Show," Hoffman Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

"Juried Ceramic Show," Centrum Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

"International Cup," The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT

2003

"Affinity for the Cup," Exploding Head Gallery, Sacramento, CA

"Juried Student Show," Hoffman Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR

"Juried Ceramic Show," Centrum Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR