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John Albert Murphy
John Albert Murphy Porcelain "Dark Days Ahead" Sculptural Nested Bowls

2016

About the Item

"Dark Days Ahea" is in fact a glorious paper-thin porcelain sculpture with fluted sides. The "two bowls and one ball" are nestled and permanently fixed. The black and white linear design to the porcelain is relieved by the movement of the fluted sides of the "bowls." This complex design is both light and airy while being visually weighted by the innermost "ball" being covered in a silver glaze suggesting heavy stainless steel. The ceramic piece is slip cast porcelain, masking tape stenciled and glazed in the style of abstract expressionism, specifically Pointillism.  It was fired in oxidation at 2230 degrees Fahrenheit.  The sphere in the center has luster glaze. John Albert Murphy heads as the Director the Ceramic Arts Department, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. Murphy takes the reins at the BBAC after working more than 33 years as a program analyst at Ford Motor Co. While carving out a career in manufacturing, Murphy never stopped working in his preferred medium -- clay. His love affair with clay started in his first class with Gawaine Dart at Henry Ford Community College in 1968. Murphy has been teaching ceramic arts since 1986 as an Adjunct Instructor at Wayne County Community College; Henry Ford Community College; Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University, and a BFA from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Some other well- known artists who attended Wayne State University are: Arthur Danto, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tyree Guyton, Hughie Lee-Smith, Philip Levine, Casey Kasem and Helen Thomas. He is accomplished in all aspects of ceramics, from hand building to wheel throwing and from Raku firing to cone-10 reduction firing in a downdraft kiln. His works can be found in collections as far away as Australia, China, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. He is currently Program Director of the Michigan Ceramics Art Association, past President of Michigan Potters' Association (1992-93), and member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
  • Creator:
    John Albert Murphy (1950)
  • Creation Year:
    2016
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Diameter: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU128615465662
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