Collection of the artist
Museums Foundation of Canada
Dr. Shirley L. Thomson, Ottawa
Sotheby's Canada, auction, Toronto, May 26, 2011, Lot 143
Private Collection, Calgary
Born in Vancouver, Murray was raised in Saskatoon and later moved to New York City in 1960. The artist first studied at the Regina College School of Art developing a foundation for his practice, and upon moving to New York, he was heavily influenced by Barnett Newman's hard edge simplified abstract works with an emphasis on bright primary colours. Incorporating abstract expressionist elements into his sculptural works, Murray produced boldly painted aluminum works in geometric forms. Resembling the distilled stabile style of Alexander Calder, the artist's works command attention in situ, encouraging the viewer to pause and take the sculptural form in the round. Often, Murray would title his works after places and people calling attention to natural themes, juxtaposing the perceptive hardness of the sculptural forms.
