Catherine Murphy's 2001 Exhibition at Lennon, Weinberg Gallery Explores Perception and Representation

Catherine Murphy presented an exhibition at Lennon, Weinberg Gallery in New York from September 22 to November 3, 2001. The show featured paintings and drawings that engage with themes of perception, representation, and the passage of time. In "Backlit," a large hand blocks a landscape view, creating a tension between object and expectation through translucent flesh and vibrant colors. Another work, "Cathy," shows landscape traces visible through backward letters on a fogged window, addressing the frustration of seeing through subjectivity. Murphy's meticulous process, often taking months or years, imbues her work with an anticipatory nostalgia for subjects that change during creation. "The Windsor" depicts crumbs on a stained tablecloth, conveying intimacy and forlornness. "Wallpapered Corner" uses repeating hunting scene images to play with geometric configurations while drawing viewers into a painted space. The 1999 drawing "Swept up" gathers debates about representational art into a swirl of rendered dust, showcasing Murphy's exacting vision. Her drawings reveal underlying tensions that transcend both puzzles and sensuality, asserting rigor through precise execution.