DIRECTORY 2026

Mark James Murphy | Drawing, printing

Mark James Murphy is a contemporary British Artist and printmaker originally from Sunderland, North East England, and currently based in Vũng Tàu, Vietnam. Murphy’s practice is an inquiry into the physicality of memory and the resilience of the handmade. Rooted in the industrial heritage of Northern England, his work utilises the labour-intensive rhythm of linocut printing as an Anchor of Attention against the velocity of the digital age. He is a self-taught linocut artist, and each hand-carved block serves as a site of resistance, where the repetitive, visceral motion of carving becomes a meditative act of storytelling. Working with traditional tools and oil-based inks, Murphy explores the quiet mysteries embedded within landscapes, architecture, and the urban fabric of Southeast Asia. His work utilises bold tonal contrasts and layered textures to reveal the emotional permanence of familiar spaces. By capturing the way time and memory settle into physical surfaces, he invites the viewer into a state of heightened perception. For Murphy, the linocut is more than a medium; it is a conceptual counterpoint to modern noise. Through the "echo of repetitive motion" and the deliberate marks of labour, he elevates the ordinary into a profound visual dialogue, exploring place, memory and cultural assimilation. Through his process, Murphy ultimately gives form to a sense of wonder, finding deep narrative significance in the fleeting moments and overlooked details of the contemporary human experience, whilst bridging the gap between his Northern English roots and his life in Vietnam.

Murphy’s work is held in international private collections. Recent and upcoming highlights include the Quintessentially British showcase in Ho Chi Minh City (2025), the International Printmaking Exhibition in New Hampshire (2026), and a feature in The Woven Tale Press (New York City).

markjamesmurphyart.com