Tanya Murphy Fine Artist: Street Photography:1985 Urban Portraits

Bio:

Multi-media fine artist, Tanya Murphy is a Philadelphia native born of Southern American roots. African-American history, southern culture, and feminism are themes frequently expressed in her artworks. Her art education began with painting during enrollment in an intensive high school (Overbrook High) magnet program for the arts. Upon entering college at Tyler School of Art of Temple University in 1983, she broadened her interest and immersed herself in fine art photography and printmaking. She received her BFA, degree in photography from Tyler in 1988 and continued to pursue her love of painting at the world renowned Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

Since starting her art career, Tanya’s photography has been focused to create socially conscious portraiture and environmental documentations inspired by photographers Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Gordon Parks of the (FSA) Farm Security Administration era. Her vast photography techniques utilize traditional film, vintage processes, contemporary digital technologies and hand-made box cameras. However, in 2005, her extensive training as a painter became a distinct asset for her imagery while combining media; she forged a very distinct style of photo-based, collage mixed media paintings. In 2008, Tanya opened her first major solo exhibit, Shadows of a Journey, at the African American Museum of Philadelphia. She received a great response from the media and collectors alike. The debut exhibit traveled across the United States for an additional two years and spawned a self-published book and DVD documentary of the same title. In 2010 Tanya won a revered residency at the Brandywine Workshop in Philadelphia which placed her among an esteemed list of artists such as Benny Andrews, John Biggers, and David Driskell all who have produced an original print for the same organization.

In addition to being an artist, Tanya has served her art community as an art curator, art gallery director, advisor and mentor for many artists. In 2008, she co-founded Salon Joose, an artist alliance which encourages professional self-empowerment. Her studio/gallery space is located in Philadelphia’s Center City, Northern Liberties district. Her artworks are widely exhibited and collected publicly and privately.

Tanya Murphy Fine Artist

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Street Photography:1985 Urban Portraits

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