We are extremely pleased to
present the award-winning work of Lakota artist, Molly Murphy.
This box incorporates Plains Indian imagery and symbolism combined
with contemporary abstract designs. Please take a moment to learn
more about Molly, and read her personal statement.
Molly Murphy was born in 1977
in Great Falls, MT. A mixed blood descendent of the Oglala, Lakota
tribe, Murphy was raised in western Montana and earned a Bachelor's
in Fine Arts from The University of Montana in 2004.
Most of her work stems from
a combination of traditional Native arts and modern art. Murphy
learned beadwork at a very early age as well as hide tanning,
sewing and traditional clothing design. I consider my work to
be narrative on many levels.
There are times when I want
to tell a very specific story and the pieces become narrative
in tone. In other cases I am simply evoking emotional responses
to basic elements such as shape and color.
Nearly all of my work reflects
the issues of politics, cultural identity, and learning to live
with the weight of the past. Molly Murphy currently lives in
Missoula, Montana with her husband and daughter.
Along with being a resident
artist and guest lecturer throughout Montana, Molly's recent
awards and exhibitions include:
2007 Heard Museum Guild Fair
and Market, Phoenix, AZ, 1st Place Class VII Division A, Judges
Choice, Dittemore
Wheelwright Museum, Sante Fe, NM, Holiday Exhibit and Auction
Art Without Reservations:
Changing Hands 2, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
This image is an amalgamation
of several myths, all related to a first woman and her child
and their journey to to Turtle Island.
The wall hanging depicts a
mother, child and horse walking through a mountain lanscape.
The sky displays in a mountain pattern with swallows flying.
The mother is leading her horse with the childs cradle board
hanging from the saddle. Behind the saddle blanket dangles a
fringed parfleche pouch. Below the figures is an arch of beadwork
similar to the beadwork on the front of womens dresses.
This shape and pattern on
womens dresses represents the power and protection of the turtles.
All the elements of the composition relate a landscape rich with
myth.
Many origination stories begin
with a human mother married to a star person. After digging a
forbidden root, she became too homesick and returned to earth
(or fell, depending on the story) from her home among the stars.
She and her child were saved
from the ocean by turtle, who with the help of other sacred animals
and plants, found land where she could raise her son. Many myths
compare the earth to a turtle that literally supports and protects
the landscape and all living things upon it.
The care and handling of beadwork
differs from other media. The wool components can be gently dusted
with a lint free cloth, or an adhesive lint remover used to remove
particles. Also you may use canned forced air used to clean electronics.
Keep out of direct sun and avoid high humidity. Beadwork has
characteristics of both strength and delicacy. Gently dusting
and proper care when moving should ensure that beadwork retains
its original appearance.
Hand dyed wool, Czech size 13, 15
and 18 beads, velvet ribbon, crystal beads, Czech trim beads,
bone beads, canvas backing, nylon thread.
