Mark James Murphy
Artist and Printmaker
The Anchor of Attention
My linocut practice is rooted in intentional resistance—a slow, physical rhythm that acts as a counterpoint to modern speed. I use the labor of hand-carved precision to explore the deep connection between memory, place, and time. This gallery is structured around my pursuit to transform the overlooked familiar into powerful anchors of wonder, bridging personal heritage with cultural observation.
I. The Labor of Place: Memory, Architecture, and Roots
Ke Ga Lighthouse, Binh Thuan Province
A quiet Monument captured through the deliberate, hand-carved rhythm of the linocut. This work grounds the transient moment in the physical labor of the block, a necessary counterpoint to the speed and noise of modern life.
Chon Khong Zen Monastery, Vung Tau
The labor-intensive precision of the cutting process here mirrors the stillness sought by the subject. This exploration of mindfulness is achieved through the slow, contemplative act of image-making.
Alley 57
The visual complexity of this alley creates an intentional tension between intimacy and mystery. The stark contrasts transform this humble, layered passage into a powerful symbol of the most ordinary settings holding a depth of hidden connection.
In the backstreets of Rome
The vibrant, chaotic energy of city life is filtered through bold black and white contrast, transforming a fleeting moment into a fixed, textural memory, echoing the city's ancient, layered past.
View from Whitby Pier
An intentional link to my heritage. The industrial history of the linocut medium finds resonance here, connecting the practice to the physical and manual labor that defined the North of England's maritime past.
II. The Stillness of Figure: Attention, Atmosphere, and Transcendence
Figures in the Sea: Alley 107–109, Tran Phu Street
This print establishes a powerful tension between the architectural anchor of the intimate city alley and the distant figures, whose movement embodies freedom and detachment from urban confines. It captures the essential human desire to move toward the sea's vastness as an act of stillness and spiritual renewal.
Memories of Quang Tri: Daydream between the boats
This work fuses personal memory with the reality of the local environment. The 'daydream' element emphasizes the internal world filtering external experience, highlighting the deep connection between place and reflection.
Teddy bears Sea and sky, Phuoc Tinh
A study in powerful juxtaposition. Placing the whimsical symbol of memory against the immensity of nature expresses the philosophical core: finding profound wonder in the most ordinary, yet surprising, details of the everyday.
Sea fishing, Vung Tau
This piece captures a popular modern ritual through the meticulous texture of the linocut. The dedication of the beachcasting rod represents a moment of focus and personal ritual, mirroring the attention required by the print process.
III. Cultural Bridge: Portraiture and Assimilation
Wowy (Suminagashi Marbled Edition)
This portrait is a visual dialogue between Eastern and Western printmaking traditions. The merging of the structured linocut relief with the fluid, meditative Suminagashi marbling technique emphasizes the artist's mission to bridge cultural communities while capturing the subject's dynamic energy and contemporary pulse.
Đen Vâu (Suminagashi Marbled Edition)
The fusion of the bold, graphic style with the organic, swirling background directly symbolizes a mission to bridge communities and assimilate contemporary Vietnamese culture through traditional art forms. The print captures the raw pulse of Southeast Asian hip-hop while creating a unique, hybrid object that emphasizes dialogue and exchange.
Testimonials
“The craftsmanship of Mark’s work is phenomenal. As a collector of fine art prints, to say I am delighted with my purchase is an understatement! Pure quality crossed with an intriguing backstory.”
“I really love my print and will definitely acquire more. Mark’s work looks so striking on my wall and service is very professional”
Linocut printing ASMR - Step by step with no press!
Check out my YouTube video to understand clearly how I print my limited edition linocuts. In this short video I will quickly take you through the entire linocut printing process. Each artwork involves a creative voyage and is a labor of love, to arrive at the finished piece. To delve deeper into how I make my art, from start to finish, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel now and help support my practice!
How I make my unique, limited edition linocuts
Each linocut is handmade and handprinted. The artwork is created by drawing out the image directly onto linoleum and then using small cutting tools, the image is intricately carved out. Whatever is cut away from the surface does not pick up the ink during printing, what remains does. In printmaking terms, a linocut is a form of relief printing. After inking up the linocut, high quality paper is placed over the image and the back of the paper is rubbed vigorously, using a wooden spoon. This is called hand-burnishing. The entire process is very labor-intensive, but the result is a beautiful, limited edition art print.
To learn more about Mark James Murphy visit here now.
