An Interview with Noel Murphy
This month, we visited acclaimed Northern Irish artist, Noel Murphy, at his Belfast studio for an in-depth conversation. In this interview, Noel shared insights into his creative process, the historic influences shaping his work, and his technical approach to painting and drawing.
Lot 8, Standing Irish Wolfhound, in our April art auction embodies many topics discussed, such as Murphy’s ability to easily translate between the figurative and abstract, or his process of layering monochromatic tones before introducing vivid colour.
Noel Murphy was born in London in 1970. He first studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, before attending the University of Ulster in Belfast where he received an honours degree in Fine Art.
Murphy was commissioned to paint the Northern Ireland Assembly in Session, becoming the second artist to do so in the history of the state, the first being William Conor. Another major piece he produced was a portrait of Michael Collins which was unveiled in the Glasnevin Cemetery Museum Gallery for the annual Collins-Griffith commemoration in 2015.
Murphy was presented with the Bass Ireland Prize (1994) and the Ireland Fund of Great Britain Annual Arts Award (1997). He has held several solo exhibitions with the Gorry Gallery, Dublin, and the Emer Gallery, Belfast, and is represented in the collections of the Ulster Museum and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Lot 8, Standing Irish Wolfhound, in our April art auction embodies many topics discussed, such as Murphy’s ability to easily translate between the figurative and abstract, or his process of layering monochromatic tones before introducing vivid colour.
Noel Murphy was born in London in 1970. He first studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, before attending the University of Ulster in Belfast where he received an honours degree in Fine Art.
Murphy was commissioned to paint the Northern Ireland Assembly in Session, becoming the second artist to do so in the history of the state, the first being William Conor. Another major piece he produced was a portrait of Michael Collins which was unveiled in the Glasnevin Cemetery Museum Gallery for the annual Collins-Griffith commemoration in 2015.
Murphy was presented with the Bass Ireland Prize (1994) and the Ireland Fund of Great Britain Annual Arts Award (1997). He has held several solo exhibitions with the Gorry Gallery, Dublin, and the Emer Gallery, Belfast, and is represented in the collections of the Ulster Museum and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
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