Idris Murphy in Conversation with Joe Frost (2025)
Artist and author Joe Frost joined Idris Murphy in conversation to discuss Idris’s solo exhibition 'Vibrations of the Primal', exhibited at King Street Gallery on William in September 2025.
Idris Murphy 'Reading the Other' Artist Talk June 2024
Idris Murphy returns to Mitchell Fine Art (Brisbane) with an exhibition of paintings that capture the essence of the Australian landscape.
'There is an incredible balance and harmony in his artwork that reveals itself more and more upon consideration of the image', says Director Mike Mitchell.
Idris Murphy talks with Maria Stoljar in his studio
Maria Stoljar interviewed Idris for the Talking with Painters podcast and this video is a collection of highlights from her first conversation with the artist in his studio in 2022.
Backblocks - Idris Murphy survey exhibition 2022/23
This film accompanies Backblocks, the 2022/23 major survey for leading Australian landscape artist Idris Murphy. Following the debut of the survey at the Drill Hall Gallery in Canberra (August to October 2022), the film was screened continuously onsite during the run of the exhibition at both the Orange Regional Gallery (November 19 2022 to January 23 2023) and the SH Ervin Gallery (February 18 to April 20 2023). The film features sequences filmed with Idris, both in the field and in his various studios, over a 22 year period. The film explores Idris's ideas, techniques, and unique vision, through his own words. Locations include Mutawintji and Fowlers Gap in Far West NSW, and studios in Caringbah, Woonona, and Kurnell.
Idris Murphy - Empyrean - Scattering of Stars
Empyrean: scattering of stars is the intriguing title of the 2019 exhibition of leading Australian landscape artist Idris Murphy. In this sneak preview film, Idris talks with characteristic intelligence and humour about the work to be featured in the show, and gives us some insight into his philosophical and creative approach. The film was shot in April 2019 in Idris's studio in Kurnell in Sydney, just days before the exhibition opening, and Idris is surrounded by his works, some newly painted. The film was shot by Sean O'Brien, who has been collaborating with Idris on films since they first worked together in 2001 for the renowned arts documentary Two Thirds Sky. The exhibition will run at the King Street Gallery on William in Sydney from May 14 to June 8, 2019.
Idris Murphy - Two Thirds Sky
A unique cinematic portrait of the heart of Australia, Two Thirds Sky reveals different ways of seeing the Australian desert, an iconographic image in this nation's identity and the world's imagination. The film follows the creative journeys of five contemporary artists, both indigenous and non-indigenous, from blank canvas through to finished painting via their direct experience in desert country. Each artist has a different relationship to the land they paint, yet all are attempting to express their identity and sense of belonging through their work. Combined with stunning images of the landscape, this is an unusual insight into the connections between art and place and our changing attitudes to Australia's beautiful yet harsh outback. The artists featured are Peter Sharp, Jenny Sages, Idris Murphy, Judy Watson, and Gloria Petyarre. The film was shot in 2001, and initially screened in 2002. Locations include Lake Mungo, Mutawintji and Fowlers Gap in Far West NSW; West Macdonnell Ranges and Utopia in Central Australia; and Lawn Hill Gorge Boodjamulla National Park in outback Queensland.
Idris Murphy Tide-Lands
Your Friend The Enemy
Your Friend the Enemy features artworks by 16 significant Australian and New Zealand contemporary artists and commemorates the ANZAC legend and the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign. It originates from a series of letters written by Idris Charles Pike, the grandfather of well-known painter and participant in this project, Idris Murphy. The letters, sent by Pike from the trenches of Gallipoli to his sweetheart, have only recently come to light after nearly 100 years hidden from view.
Invited artists, filmmakers, historians and writers travelled to Turkey in April and May 2014 on a painting and research expedition, concentrating on Istanbul and Gallipoli. The material produced, documented and written on the trip is informing a large touring exhibition, a documentary film and nationally distributed publication
Participating artists: Deirdre Bean • Elisabeth Cummings • Steve Lopes • Guy Maestri • Euan Macleod • Idris Murphy • Michael Nock • Peter O’Doherty • Susan O’Doherty • Stanley Palmer • Amanda Penrose Hart • Leo Robba • Luke Sciberras • Michael Shepherd • Jonathan Throsby • John Walsh
Idris Murphy & Paul Martin at Warburton Gallery, Edinburgh
Warburton Gallery presents 'Edgelands', a new exhibition of work from artists Paul Martin and Idris Murphy. The exhibition came out of a conversation they had in Australia, where they discovered that they shared similar references and inspirations. Although each painter has their own distinct style and technique, they have been able to explore their shared themes, and present a sense of connection to one another's work.
Idris Murphy exhibition Everywhen from Sean O'Brien
Idris Murphy walks and talks us through his recent exhibition, Everywhen, held at King Street Gallery on William from 09 July to 03 August. Critic with The Art Life, Andrew Frost, introduces the film with a reading from his review of the exhibition.
Idris Murphy paints in the studio from Sean O'Brien
Leading Australian contemporary landscape painter Idris Murphy shows and talks us through his methods in the studio. Idris has brought back several paintings which he began in the field, in places such as Fowlers Gap and Mutawintji in Far West NSW, and the Kimberleys in Northern WA, and he continues to develop these paintings in the studio. Amongst many topics, Idris discusses colour, composition, use of paint, memory, evoking place, and real presence. Filmed in May 2013 at Idris's studio in Kurnell, Sydney.
Idris Murphy paints in the field at Fowlers Gap from Sean O'Brien on Vimeo
Artist Idris Murphy is one of Australia's leading landscape painters. Idris has been returning to Fowlers Gap in far west NSW for many years now, to draw inspiration for his renowned paintings. In this film, Idris shows us how he begins his paintings in the field. Spontaneity, improvisation, accidents, and strategic mark making all play their part. He's located in a creek bed near the Ochre House.
Idris Murphy introduces Not the Way Home from Sean O'Brien on Vimeo
Artist Idris Murphy talks about the upcoming expedition, Not the Way Home, in which he and 13 other invited artists will be travelling to the desert in far west NSW, out past Broken Hill. They will be based at the Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station for 14 days in May 2011, engaging with the arid landscape following drought breaking rains. ABC Open Illawarra producer Sean O'Brien will be accompanying the expedition to assist the artists to create and upload content daily to the blog:
notthewayhome.tumblr.com/