'Cross Town' by Murray Gibson
The common thread through Murray Gibson’s elegant tapestries is a unique visual translation of the world around him. Many of his visual concepts are inspired by his physical location and it is interesting to trace his geographical influences through his tapestries. While out west, the foothills and the mountains of Alberta stimulated a powerful interpretation. When he was invited to be the artist in residence, in 1991, at The Centre for Tapestry Arts in New York City, he used architectural forms in his woven works as a symbol of human presence in the environment. The year in New York was life changing for Murray. The opportunity to be in contact with other professional tapestry artists, take workshops and have world- class museums and galleries so close at hand was amazing. Murray ended his year there with a solo show.
In 1995 Murray attended Goldsmith College in London England. His Master thesis was five tapestries of draped blue cloth called “The Annunciation”. This is the biblical story of the Angel Gabrielle’s message to Mary. By using the folds in the tapestry as a metaphor of her inner turmoil, the five panels visually describe the emotional transformation of Mary’s acceptance of her fate to become the mother of the Son of God. London offered opportunities. Galleries and museums full of antique tapestries and Renaissance Paintings inspired Murray to create the drapery images in “The Annunciation” series.
Murray is currently working on a tapestry series called “Woman Who Weave”. There is an historical basis for mythological heroines who wove. Penelope wove a never -finished shroud for her great love Odysseus, who had gone to the Trojan War. She wove by day and unraveled what she had accomplished by night, to thwart the advances of suitors.
The Three Fates spun the threads of life. The Valkeries wove the Web of War. All epic stories well interpreted by Murray’s images. Beautiful colours, patterns rich in reference and skillful weaving make his works of art timeless.
In 2004, Murray ‘s wife Dr. Sharon Gregory accepted the Erasmus Chair at St. Francis Xavier University. They moved from Sewanee Tennessee, where they had been teaching at the University of the South, to Antigonish County.
Murray teaches tapestry weaving in the Fine Arts Department at StFX He is also creating a data- base for the department using images from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.
He is working towards a solo show at the art gallery at StFX.
You can Goggle Murray at Murray Gibson or you can explore his web site: http://people.stfx.ca/mgibson
Julia Redgrave
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