2022
This notebook has drawings of many animals. I wanted to draw from a raw childlike state to capture the essence of how magical and surreal the imprint of animals is on our minds. I drew without a reference to tap into the abstract symbolic emotion held within each animal at the time in relation to me. I think art will continue to and has changed the world. By focusing on animals, their environments, and emotional and historical weight that is universally shared across cultures, we can learn about each other, ourselves and the world.
Cape Town, South Africa, 1997. Painter.
Keya Tama Murphy s a South African artist based in the United States, between Los Angeles and New York. Inspired by pastel color palettes, patterns, and symbolism, Keya Tama has been a practicing artist and muralist since the age of thirteen. His style can be described as ancient contemporary minimalism; by processing and refining images into minimalistic forms while maintaining their essence. His works aim to reunite old and new through contrasting yet unified iconography. The artist uses visuality from the storehouse of art history and references and remixes their recurring themes to create stark contrasts and discover unexpected commonalities which produce unusual, arresting, yet strangely familiar works. Working primarily in acrylics to create his pieces, there is a strong graphic feel to each piece. This highly individual style naturally lends itself to collaborations with other makers and craftspeople, such as embroiderers and weavers. Across the artist’s practice, there are recurring themes of contrasting ancient and contemporary iconography, family and community, mono-myths, and minimalism.
