348 - Murphy, John Albert - Hell on Earth

Artist:  John Albert Murphy

Description:  Slip cast porcelain, multiple color glazes sprayed and applied in the style of pointillism, Jackson Pollock dripped, poured paint, and also luster glaze on the centerpiece.  This is a work I created during the Covid-19 Pandemic.  I made many new works and incorporated my feelings into each work created.  Here is a specific narrative about "Hell on Earth".  "Hell on Earth" is how I felt about the global conditions at the very end of 2021, and I tried to input my feelings into this creation. I relied heavily on color to give that feeling. Strong reds for fire from hell, and pale blues and greens for planet earth were my choices of colors to paint my expressions. The checked patterns gave me "windows" to create small "paintings" to keep the viewer busy, looking for a way out, perhaps. I invested in some new inclusion stains of bright reds, oranges, lime greens, yellows, blues, etc. that would fire to a high temperature and not burn out in the glaze firing.  Success! The centerpiece is glazed with a new "red" luster glaze that has a rainbow effect as the light changes when the viewer walks around the work.  So, we were and are all experiencing a little "hell on earth", however, it is temporary.

Medium:  ceramics

DImensions:  6"H x 9"L x 9"W

Market Value:  $3500

Biography:  John Albert Murphy has earned both BFA (Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan 1975) and MFA (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 1985) degrees with a major in ceramics.  John retired from teaching at many colleges and Universities in Southeast Michigan after 35 years, in 2020.  John has also served as Director of Ceramic Arts at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center 2011-2012.  

John’s ceramics have been in International, National, and local competitions and exhibitions since 1979, and are in Museums all over the world.  His Art has enabled travels to San Bao Village Pottery in China 2000, and for Artist in Residences at Changchun Art Gallery, Changchun, China 2016 and 2017, where he made his ceramic artwork and he also taught basic ceramics to Chinese Art Teachers of Children.  John continues to work in his home studio, exploring and experimenting with the clay materials, the process and his imagination.  For more information and photos go to John Albert Murphy on Face Book.