Born in New South Wales, Australia, Kevin Murray has
lived in Rome for
over 40 years and considers
the Eternal City his home.
|
with the artist in his studio |
Many
decades ago he earned a diploma at the
Accademia delle Belle Arti where he studied
painting (with Gentilini) and etching (with Maccari) as well as mosaic technique in Ravenna’s Centro
Internazionale del Mosaico.
|
Fountain of the Turtles |
Kevin and I
were colleagues in the 1970s-80s when he taught art and history to international students and survival English to Russian émigrés in
Rome.
He balanced his teaching
with his art so well that former
students often described him as a Renaissance man for he is comfortable
wearing many hats.
|
St, Peter's dome and the Tiber |
Besides directing
excavations in Herculaneum, he held numerous one man shows in Sydney and
Adelaide (1971-1988) as well as in prestigious galleries of Rome and Florence
like the Valle Giulia gallery, The Crypt
and Bottega di Cimabue.
|
still life |
|
a period palazzetto with a Roman temple at the end of the street |
Now
comfortably settled in a period palazzetto between the temple of Minerva and the multi cultural neighborhood of Pza.
Vittorio, Kevin has carved out a home
and studio that reflects his eclectic lifestyle made up of painting, music and
cinema.
|
Murray's Roman terrace |
You may have seen Kevin playing a cardinal in the recent Nanni Moretti film “Habemus Papem” .
What are the jewels of Rome according to Kevin Murray?
|
vicolo Piazza Navona |
They include the cupolas of many Roman churches and food enjoyed
during visit to the Roman campagna,
just as his predecessors of the Grand
Tour .
|
view of Roman countryside |
|
Benediction loggia, San Marco |
His
latest personal exhibit continues until July
18 at Studio Minera, Via Pietro Micca 6, Rome.
An invitation to fellow expats and
former students to stop by and see the Jewels of Rome. RSVP to dellascala4@gmail.com
Other paintings
www.artbreak.com/kevin2009
Very interesting paintings, lovely Kevin.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rebecca
Rome
Captivating Kevin....well done and this is an interesting and excellently prepared interview. Thanks for the glimpse. All good wishes...jo
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
DeleteI am thrilled you like "the glimpse" and thanks for your kind comments. I wish you well. Kevin
I had Mr. Murry as a teacher at Notre Dame school in the early 1970's. Though he taught history every one in his class knew "ART REFLECTS A SOCIETY!" So he got his way as an ART TEACHER! He turned my life around as a troubled teenager by getting to draw roses and teaching me history thru art. I'm now 60 years old living in New Mexico making fine furniture for the past 36 years as a sole-proprietor of WATERSONG FURNITURE. Thank-you Kevin for being in me life and making a difference! Andrew Monahan
ReplyDelete