Annie Murphy-Robinson

Bio

Annie Murphy-Robinson
The intent of my work is to allow the viewer to interpret meaning using their own experience. My feelings/ thoughts behind it are directly related to my personal history with the subjects in the work, whether they are animate or inanimate. A certain sadness, hopelessness or resignation seems to always be present, for me it allows for deeper contemplation and to further nurture a dependance on a higher power. I tend to title the work in a very straight-forward manner with a "hint" of where I want to lead the viewer, that way the viewer has access to the image using their own experience.

My technique is relatively unknown, I use sandpaper as a medium to embed dry material into heavy paper. Using this technique, I am able to “see” in the dark; I use a myriad of photographic reference for the images of my daughters and I draw from life the images of my old toys and memorabilia. The use of this technique takes the work to a “hyper-real” level and lends itself well to the pervasive feeling of melancholy that exists. My intent is to confront the viewer and ask questions.

There is honesty to the work that I can only express if I have a true connection with it. I pick out everything from the outfits and rugs that the subjects sit on to the lighting in order to capture the feeling that I wish to convey for that body of work. I have started to incorporate props as well which leads to a narrative that is also open for interpretation. My art is a diary of sorts, quasi self-portraits that reference my childhood experiences, good and bad.