interview

Julian Murphy is an award winning and critically acclaimed artist and graphic designer who has succeeded in creating a style that is entirely his own—Tantric Pop Art, which has been described as “a cunning combination of eroticism and visual innuendo that emphasizes the life-confirming sexuality of our surrounding”. He was born in England and attended the Brunel Technical College where he studied Design for Print. He has worked in the advertising industry for over twenty years, and his works have been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers worldwide, including Times, LA Times, Playboy, Variety, Vogue, Elle, GQ, and Design Week. His artworks, which vary from exquisitely airbrushed images to sculptures, musical instruments, and furniture, are on display in numerous galleries and museums. One of his paintings, titled Can Can Opener, can be found hanging in the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. If you can’t make it to the galleries, you can also look through selected works by Julian in his book, The Singular Art of Julian Murphy. Currently, he is also one of the jurors for Erotic Signature, the world’s largest erotic art competition.

For Julian, everything in our surrounding is a source of artistic inspiration and an opportunity to discover more about ourselves and the desires that drive our actions. Julian’s intricately hand-drawn trompe l'œil images not only appeal to the eyes but also challenge our perceptions of reality. Julian’s artistic expression is truly unique in the way he fuses wit, haute couture, Escher-like sense of mathematics and dimensions, Freudian insight, and humor in his designs. The Association of Erotic Artists aptly described Julian’s art as “a seemingly inexhaustible parade of astonishing images that provoke and excite, images whose velvet-clad fingers caress the cerebrum rather than the groin.” Julian’s paintings will undoubtedly cure you of ennui because they are stimulating and provocative, liberating what lies dormant in our subconscious. Sex is an integral part of human nature and how we present ourselves to the world, as manifested in our affairs with contemporary consumer trends. Julian’s art captures the dynamic relationship we have with our surroundings and provides a platform for meditation and an open discourse of what is controversial. Regardless of the objects depicted in Julian’s paintings, the real subject in his art is you, the one who beholds the art, and you cannot help but to react and interact with his art. Julian Murphy stands out among his peers as a singular artist whose art fosters the independent spirit in all of us, thus freeing us from all inhibitions and bringing us closer to a deeper understanding of our innermost desires. I thank Julian for taking the time to share his thoughts and insight in this interview.

How did you get into art? When/why did you decide to pursue art as a lifelong career?

I left school in 1976 and went directly to art and Design College. I always was an artist even from my earliest childhood, and I didn’t so much pursue it as it pursued me! All artists and musicians understand this feeling; it is just something you just have to do. In hindsight the advertising world was a good way to earn a living with artistic talents, making a living as an artist in the purest sense of the word was difficult and still is!

How did your experience in advertising influence your style as an artist?

I learnt about the advertising industry through many experiences. I learnt that most products use sex appeal to encourage not only a more attractive product but are used to influence people in so many ways; if you use this product you will be more attractive, sexier, on the pulse, more likely to find happiness and peace. In reality consumerism is nothing more than convenience in an otherwise uncaring and selfish world. My work is an advertising backlash to the industry I grew up in; seeing products for what they really are?

How did you develop the “Tantric Pop Art” style for which you are internationally known?

Tantric art in India and other Eastern cultures was usually reflective of the spirituality of sexuality. Mandalas, the Kama Sutra are all artistic representations of sex and lifestyle. I have tried to take these meditation concepts of the old images and then adding the consumer thinking of today’s world; evolving a new style of Mandala. Tantric art very much reflects the environment, its spirituality, magic and humour. It’s a bringing together of the old with the new; it is also a way to express old ideas and misconceptions through consumer items we are all very comfortable with today.

All of your Tantric Pop Art creations were done using airbrush and gouache paint. This is a very meticulous process and requires not only great technical skills but also high precision. Why did you choose this particular technique? Did you experiment with other techniques and media before you decided to use airbrush?

At the time I started painting computers were nonexistent! Alternatives were oils and watercolours which don’t really work with my style of thinking, the advertising industry used airbrush illustrations to show products in magazines, it was normal to see an airbrushed perfume bottle back then. I like that it is a hard instrument to use, it’s like playing a guitar, if it was easy we’d all be doing it. Ironically many people think my work is computer generated; people are happily surprised to find out it is all hand drawn! This adds to the work’s magical quality, the art is my meditation; there is no happier feeling than creating with your own hands.

Your artist page on the Abendstern website features a page from your notebook, which shows a sketch alongside a list of words and other notations. It’s quite interesting to see a sample of your artwork in its intermediate stage. Do you start with a list of words and ideas before you work on the actual design? Does each word/idea represent a motif that you later incorporate in the final design? Could you briefly take us through your creative process?

Good question! It actually varies; sometimes I come up with a title and then work an image out for it! Or I simply come up with an idea or object and the title follows; for me the title adds to the humour and understanding in many cases. All my art starts out as tiny scribbles that I do whilst sitting in Starbucks or in front of the TV. I then work them up into clean images in pencil, sometimes as many as 30 traces to get the lines just right and then I transfer the final trace onto art board and airbrush it.

What are some of your major influences as an artist?

Well, the advertising industry for one; but to be honest I worked quite hard at not being influenced! I think that many competent artists never find their own style as they are often so diluted by other artists’ styles and techniques. I think in art that individuality is everything; every artist that is remembered today has his very unique and individual style. The less you allow influence the more you must evolve your inner self. I do love Giger, Rembrandt and Escher though!

It’s uncanny how your artwork is able to tap into our subconscious and then project it visually in everyday objects. You accomplish this in a confrontational way that challenges our sense of being and the concept of reality. How do you do it?! Where do you get your inspiration and insight for your artwork?

I actually don’t know the answer to this other than I do what I do, it comes so naturally, I never take things as I am told to and prefer to put my own observations and understandings on my life; I am a lateral thinker and unassuming. I am simply myself in what I do and I rarely look deeper than that. All art is flow and it’s like a meeting of many things that go right in a single moment, like a successful party in which the music, food and guests were all in harmony.

Are you Sigmund Freud the reincarnate?

Of course! I just wish I had Marilyn Monroe’s body though!

You once said: “I would like people to get much more in tune with their sexuality because that can often be the first honest step in getting in touch with your self.” Sexuality is deeply rooted in our animal instincts and yet intricately tied to our cerebrum, which has evolved into something that encompasses both the conscious and the unconscious. How can one get in touch with the self and the unconscious when our animal instincts are triggered by physical stimuli?

We all have animal instincts and feelings, it does not mean we have to follow them every time, part of what makes us human is our ability to say no or observe self discipline, discipline is seen as a bad word in modern culture, everybody wants everything and they want it now. In life, love, art and feeling great about yourself is discipline that actually sets us free. I don’t think Carlos Santana would be so free and so able to express his feelings through music if he hadn’t practiced and practiced…discipline feels good and serves us well. There is no black and white about being human, we act upon emotional, intellectual and physical impulses, being in tune with yourself is simply being true to how you feel about you!

Along that same line of thought, I really like the quote featured on your artist page on eroticart.org: “Your Most Erogenous Zone is your Mind!” Now, if I could just get inside your mind a bit, may I ask what you find particularly erotic to the mind?

The mind is everything, all impulses start here, or from your body messages are sent to the mind and translated into sensations, all nerves, touch, fantasy, desires, smells, tastes are all sorted by the brain. Most of what makes us feel sexy is our minds interpretation of a given situation, the body I think is simply a tool for our mind to act upon! Maybe in women more than men, the mind and intellect plays a huge role in sexual joy. If you didn’t fantasize, you probably wouldn’t get that excited?

Your paintings are very thought provoking and are highly controversial and confrontational. In a country that seems to become increasingly obsessed with political correctness, how do you deal with all the criticism from the right-wing groups?

We all live different lives and are on different paths, I walk mine and I hope I allow others their path too. I do not care about opinions of me, most of the right wing and over religious people I know of are the least generous and most prejudice of all individuals…live and let live I say. Balance is important, all opinions are valid and I respect all who choose their own path.

In addition to being an accomplished and prolific artist, you are also the Art Director of The World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) in Miami Beach, FL, which just opened in November 2005. WEAM showcases the largest collection of erotic art from various cultures and historical periods in the world. How is the museum doing so far?

The museum is doing very well; it has proved very popular amongst a whole cross section of society. I have noticed in general that women are much more comfortable about this whole sex thing!

What are a few rare or bizarre items that we should look for in the museum?

There is no golden rule here; everyone seems to have their own opinion of what bizarre is! Sex and religion together is always a controversial subject. Good!

Do you teach art?

Not yet, I have thought about it though, but I prefer to paint for myself.

In general, what do you hope to convey to the audience through your artwork?

That sex can be funny, and should be taken less seriously, that sex can have dignity, intellect and style, sex is such a natural act and so many misconceptions exist around this subject. I paint everything, all sexualities, all subjects and many are likely to consider me a pervert! But I am happily married; I have never been unfaithful to any partner, so just because you like sex and understand desire it does not mean you lack honour or integrity. My art is about observations not fantasy, people never seem uncomfortable around my art, this is my joy.

Now, about some of your paintings:

The Brain Cell: Is this representation unisex? In other words, do you think females perceive sexuality in the same way as males?

All my work is unisex! Everyone falls at the first hurdle, so much sexual politics in the world today; it is what you interpret it to be and nothing more. Desire is common in both males and females, it is only what you desire that changes!

Garden of Need: Very thought provoking and controversial painting! What kind of message did you want to convey with this painting? In what way is Eden = Need?

It’s about temptation, tasting what you think is good for you, and finding out that it is probably not so good for you, it has an AIDS message too, be safe when you indulge in drugs and sex; you cannot tell adults what to do, only plead for their responsibility towards others.

Russian Dolls: Self-discovery, as represented by the vibrator, is the key that unlocks us from bondage. Am I close to the intended message of this artwork? Are you alluding to the Freudian concept of “penis envy”?

I am intrigued that even in the tightest bondage or quietest meditation the inner self feels and enjoys pleasure, in a sense the restricted environment is key to inner harmony! This goes for whole countries too, oppression and restriction breed inner strength and self-reliance, this is a more political view of mine. But it is true of sex too; when you starve some senses others grow more sensitive. We are back to this word discipline. Russian Dolls is about the free spirit and finding inner satisfaction.

Gender Guitars: Are you working with a particular luthier or guitar company to make the prototypes?

I have a company in Poland who will be making the Gender Guitars for me. I have planned 12 different designs available in both 6 string and bass versions.

Has any musician played a Gender Guitar? If so, where can we hear some of the recordings?

Not as yet!

Will you make a fretless Gender Guitar?

If you like, I am open to everything; I am even devising software that will turn played notes into sexy sighs and murmurs!

Do you play the guitar? If so, do you have any recordings of your music?

Don’t play, my Mum used to make me practice as a child in the garage and my fingers got so cold I gave up!

Are any of these guitars for sale?

I will be producing them all for sale and in any colour you like.

What other projects are you working on currently?

I am also designing erotic furniture, sofas, beds, coffee tables…not everyone buys art, but furniture that you can personally interact with could be a winner.

Now, for some off-topic questions:

Speaking of music, what kind of music do you like to listen to?

Everything really, I grew up on rock music. Carlos Santana and Joe Satriani are amongst my favorites. I am very into the Buddha Bar world music at the moment, my moods vary and sometimes only Hendrix will do!

Besides designing and drawing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Fitness, meditation, photography, nature and generally everyday stuff like coffee with friends and eating out at a good restaurant!

Have you been asked to airbrush your artwork on automobiles and other objects?

I have but I try to generally avoid it. I love the medium I use and tend to do what I want to do. There are many great airbrush artists in that area of work and I will probably stick to what I do best.

I read that you like fast and stylish things. What’s your mode of transportation? Motorcycle or sports car?

I drive an average car these days, sold my Ferrari and Bentley! Now I live in Florida I will probably get another Harley Davidson. To be honest I feel I have passed through this phase in my life, as long as it goes I am happy!

What is your favorite movie?

No real favorites spring to mind, if it’s good I will watch it. I did always love early Steve Martin films.

What is your favorite color?

Golden orange; the colour of positive energy. I quite like black too!

Do you drink Evian water?

I drink a large bottle every day, it’s the best.

Favorite beer or wine?

I love a chilled white wine and a glass of vodka (or two)!

Favorite food?

Japanese food, it’s healthy and I never tire of it.

Links to more artworks by Julian Murphy:

Abendstern Gallery in Vienna