Combining inherited family skills of quilting and carpentry, Los Angeles-based artist Troy Murrah uses thousands of wood fragments, cut from leftover remnants, to construct elaborate wall hangings that replicate traditional quilt patterns. Take a closer look, and find motifs—illustrated and designed by the artist using imagery influenced by his past. His hope is to uphold tradition and craft by refreshing them, while teaching the importance of craft and the skills used to make things with your hands that can be functional, decorative, and meaningful. Troy holds a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas, Austin. He has 20+ years working in production and set design, building and designing recording studios, and saving up material (wood, metal, doors, window frames, etc.) leftover from these jobs along with discarded cabinetry and shelving left on the roadside. Initially intended as a way to feel close to his mother (quilter and art educator Judy Murrah) after her passing in late 2017, Murrah's "built quilts" (wood quilts) ended up being a great way to use up the reclaimed material and bring new life to the old. Taking on a life of its own, his body of work continues to expand with new artistic additions including more functional pieces created on an ongoing basis.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Not really a movement, but rather I am influenced by American and European quilts. Also, I am hugely inspired by brutalism.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I’m most productive drawing and painting in my “drawing room” early in the AM or late in the evening when all is quiet, but when it comes to fabricating and constructing the pieces, I do my best work in my studio during regular working hours.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
It’s one part drawing, designing, and planning; and the second part is fabricating and construction.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
My mom, Judy Murrah, who was a quilter, fabric designer, and art teacher.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I’d be a musician or athlete.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
It ranges from listening to history and sports podcasts, to a wide spectrum of music: Prince Buster, Toots & the Maytals, Idles, Kendrick Lamar, Modest Mouse, Fred McDowell, Tchaikovsky…
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
The Colosseum… does that count?
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Sucks to say, but you gotta treat it like it’s your small business.
10) What is your favorite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
Game of Thrones book series (seriously); I enjoyed them more than the show.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
In a Neutra or Schindler building.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
The importance of meeting deadlines.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Either at a retrospective event of my art… or at the local pub.
Learn more about Troy and discover his collection of artworks.
