Herbert Murrie
Member Since October 31st, 2008
Abstract Expressionism
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have a color and spatial sketch in my mind before starting my painting. I begin by pouring the colors onto the surface of the background in various shapes and patterns. The shapes and forms emerge through the constant blending and manipulation of the paint; interlacing forms, bows and curves that constantly intersect to produce spatial structures which could be altered endlessly.
To cause something to change and flow, to make it relative suites me. I edit out and build upon what I feel is working. Sometimes when images come about by chance they are fresher more organic, more inevitably. Instinct takes charge. The composition of different forms, colors, structures, proportions, harmonies, etc. comes out as an abstract system analogous to music. Letting a thing come, rather then following a precise plan can be more genuine, richer, and more alive. Music filters into my work, like lines of dialogue. The rawness of experiencing sounds, from Mozart to Dylan, is what I try to translate into a visual vocabulary. Music relies on an established structure, one that allows for infinite expression of guttural emotion. That liberty within form inspires my own explorations in painting. Feelings, sensations produce a specific emotional effect.
In my black and white paintings the elimination of color creates a simplification that has to carry the emotion alone on the shapes and spatial relationships that are formed by the intertwining swirls and blobs of paint.
Chance plays an important role in my paintings however is never blind chance: it’s a chance that is always planned, but also always a surpr
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EDUCATION
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FINE ART
CHICAGO ACADEMY OF FINE ART
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS / B.F.A.
EXHIBITIONS
PROJEKT30 NOVEMBER EXHIBITION 2008
PROJEKT30 MAY EXHIBITION 2008
THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2008
THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2006
THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2005
ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2004
ZOLLA-LEIBERMAN GROUP SHOW / CHICAGO, IL. 2004
AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2002
LYDON FINE ART / CHICAGO, IL. 2002
ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2001
LYDON FINE ART GROUP SHOW / CHICAGO, IL. 2001
LYDON FINE ART / CHICAGO, IL. 2000
SLOANE-JORDAN GALLERY / AUSTIN, TX. 2000
NEW INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION GROUP SHOW / WOODSTOCK, NY 1999
WESTMORELAND CENTER OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / PA 1999
QUINCY ART CENTER GROUP SHOW / QUINCY, IL 1999
MARYLAND FEDERATION OF ART GROUP SHOW / ANNAPOLIS, MD 1999
NAVARRO COUNCIL OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / CORSICANA, TX 1999
SLOANE-JORDAN GALLERY / AUSTIN, TX 1999
LYDON FINE ARTS / CHICAGO, IL 1999
OLIN FINE ARTS GALLERY AT WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE GROUP SHOW / WASHINGTON, PA 1998
THE BAKER ART CENTER GROUP SHOW / LIBERAL, KS 1998
TUBAC CENTER OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / SANTA CRUZ, AZ 1998
LYDON FINE ARTS / CHICAGO, IL 1998
COLLECTIONS
NOVO NORDISK CORPORATION / PRINCETON, NJ
ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL
IRON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC. / WINNETKA, IL.
CHICAGO GROWTH PARTNERS / CHICAGO, IL.