Morgan Murphy: Two Lovers
Artist Statement
My work is parallel to Sven Nykvist’s film noir stage set quality that caricatures psychological settings. Through the utilization of the romance of printmaking, and the plate and the paper only touching once, “Two Lovers” achieves social commentary of the current state of the Coronavirus pandemic. Rene Magritte’s painting, “The Lovers II” is reproduced backwards in mezzotint in the top print. This painting represents a barrier preventing an embrace between two lovers, and very similar struggles are ubiquitous given our crisis. The masks worn by the two lovers in the bottom print signify the interruption of these connections and the distance and alienation many of us suffer due to the current pandemic.
About the Project
- Title of Work: Two Lovers
- Medium: Two 13 x 11 inches mezzotint engravings
- Student's Name: Morgan Murphy
- Major: Art
- Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2021
- Hometown: Port Hope, Michigan
- Student's Mentor: Catherine Armbrust
- Mentor's Department: Art
- Art Project ID: 21VADS - 018
Comments
Lisa Scheese
Very powerful imagery. The message is immediately understood by those of us living in the pandemic, and I think if this artwork was publicly viewed 20 years from now, it would capture the essence of this time and the barriers preventing connection.
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Carolyn Pohl
Right on topic for our life today. A hundred year old painting can
be seen as fitting in with current events.
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Carolyn Pohl
Right on topic for our life today. A hundred year old painting can
be seen as fitting in with current events. Great work Morgan.
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Karen Murphy
Many things go through my mind when I look at your work. The mysteriousness of the characters, the reflection, and similarities of time, and also sadness because of the masks, and lack of intimacy we all have felt. Your work is amazing, Morgan! Bravo!
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Ed McCauley
I see an intelligent and literate artist confronting current dislocation through mood and subject. I like the sense of history - the homage to Magritte, the evocation of film noir and Bergman and I think your drapery is as good as Magritte's, maybe better.
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Mary Ellen
This is great stages of the pandemic. Initially dark and not knowing anything. To the transition. Amazing work.
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Matt Ballou
Morgan, I really appreciate your positioning of context with these works and your obvious interest and effort. I really love Tooker and Cadmus, too, so I'm looking forward to how you'll continue to incorporate their influence as you go.
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Benton Kidd
On their own, these have power, presence, and mystery without any explanation. Very compelling. Well done!
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Jim Spain
Your art connects us to the feelings we were all experiencing during the pandemic and how we could be together but still separated. Your art will be timeless as it will draw us back to the pandemic and our emotional responses to this experience.
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