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Seated Figure with Yellow Flowers (detail). 2007, 20” x 14” framed (oval), watercolor and acrylic on paper
Margaret Murphy
The Parlor Paintings
Margaret Murphy paints “portraits” of mass-produced female figurines. By doing so, she deliberately perpetuates an idealized representation of womanhood, thus allowing viewers to examine their own complicity in the stereotypes.
Murphy’s paintings begin with visits to “dollar” stores, e-Bay and other places where she can buy figurines of women.
After observing the figurines from every angle, Murphy chooses the best one from which to paint them, using watercolors on paper. In many cases, she also includes the shadows cast by the figurines, creating the illusion that her models were actual women, painted from life.
“This creates a visual tension,” Murphy says, “because, the figurines are just mass-produced, collectible objects, but now they have become part of one-of-a-kind works of art.”