Swirling swaths of color and bold imagery throughout his work, Dallas native Will Murchison’s art (willmurchison.com) is nothing short of a kaleidoscopic wonder.
Murchison makes dense, abstract collages composed of found paper and acrylic paint. Featured here is his piece “From One Gesture to the Next” (2020). PHOTO BY KEVIN TODORA
You have undoubtedly caught the eyes of art enthusiasts and collectors alike. Where did your love for your craft first manifest? As a kid, I had a fascination with WWII, and in addition to rough battles in the yard with my brother, I began making model airplanes and drawings. At the time, I did not feel like I was making art. In middle school, I recall the moment I decided to make a ‘painting.’ I grabbed some of my mom’s old paints and made an embarrassing painting involving a starburst and a rainbow. From then, art became my escape.
Is your process for approaching your work something you could share? How did you hone in on your particular aesthetic? In high school at Cistercian, I was able to learn from the artist Roberto Munguia. He pushed us to focus on material and form, and encouraged my interest in abstraction. I adopted the medium of collage, which I still rely on. My paintings have changed since then, but I can see a direct lineage to the art I made as a teenager.
“Out of the Broad Warm Us” (2021). PHOTO BY KEVIN TODORA
There is so much change that happened throughout the course of last year. What has been the biggest surprise for you in terms of your work? Despite much time in the studio, it has been hard to paint this year. I spent the year experimenting with different mediums and modes of painting. While my practice moved in fits and starts, I am thankful for the incremental development of my craft.
Are there any particular organizations or individuals you like to champion? I love to support my wife, Lucy (@shoplovelucy), and Erin Cluley Gallery (erincluley.com). Erin has been very supportive this year. She has continued to push her artists’ work and has even opened a new satellite space, Cluley Projects. I look forward to showing paintings in person at the gallery this year.
Artist Will Murchison. PHOTO BY KEVIN TODORA
Looking toward the future, what do you think 2021 will bring as it pertains to creativity? After a year of experimentation, this year will be about collecting the scattered techniques and applying them to my painting practice.
As the city begins to open its doors again, what are you most looking forward to in order to offer support? I am excited to see the Dallas art community beginning to open up again. Our museums and galleries ably shifted online, but it has been great to see art again in person. As galleries begin to open live exhibitions, my family and I will be there to support Dallas galleries and artists.
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