Cody and Ciaran Murphy at CerealART

I feel that I was drawn to write my reaction on Ciaran Murphy because I initially rejected his work. It lacks everything that interests me; a forceful palette, texture and dynamic composition. It is intensely minimal and seems rare that one of these small-scale paintings contains more than two hues. I have never been interested in minimalist art. I feel that it is not engaging enough for my personal taste, though I do not deny that if done correctly it can convey a powerful message. It is my intention in this reaction to confront myself with a style I have always declined, solely because of my distaste.
Ciaran Murphy is currently being featured at the CerealArt Gallery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He showcases an 8 piece series of small-scale oil paintings. The sizes are no larger than two feet and beg for an intimate viewing by an individual at a close range. The subject matter is nature based and includes both animals and landscapes. The color palette throughout the series reflects muddy blues, earthy greys, greens and browns.
Each piece has a quietness about it, as well as the poetry of a solitary exclusive moment in nature that’s captured in the composition. One piece in particular I would like to expand on. It is bluntly named Lighting Strike and got the classic criticism from another viewer within earshot. “I could do that in kindergarten.”
This particular piece is a little over a foot by foot and a half and is compromised of a flat deep Payne’s grey. The only differentiation is a small bundle of quick brushstrokes meant to represent trees in the bottom corner. The star of the piece is the “lightning bolt” that splits the canvas in half, a classic tense composition. This skeletal structure is formed from what seems to be a single fluid stroke of harsh white.
This piece uses very little visual language and I feel that is what is most striking about it. Since the lightning is just a single stroke, to me it isn’t lightning. It’s just a stroke, but a very sensual one at that. The minimalism forces my mind to appreciate the painting for its technical aspects, whether intentional or not. Ciaran is a talented artists overall. Though I am not quite a fan of the minimal techniques he portrays, there is a wonderful thing that happens inside his intimate compositions.


Hey Cody,
I ran across this Barnett Newman piece today. Differences yes, but Ciaran's work is so informed by Newman's response to composition /form/color.