Before Thérèse Murdza could tie her shoes, she learned to play a small accordion. She studied music at a Maryland public high school, and, in 1986, earned a BA degree in Theatre from Towson University, where she wrote and directed original plays. After collage, Thérèse published poetry in literary journals, and in subsequent years, reimagined her writing more directly as shape and line and color. In 2000, painting became her primary practice.
From her studio in Portland, Oregon, Thérèse partners with design professionals, gallerists, and private clients throughout the US and beyond. Recent press highlights include interviews, mentions, or features in Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, The Oregonian, Portland Monthly, Oregon ArtsWatch, and as cover artist for Artslandia: Portland's Performing Arts Annual.
Thérèse has shown her work continually in solo and group exhibitions since 2001. Commissioned and seasonally released works on canvas and paper are held in commercial, residential, and museum collections across North America.
Thérèse has been a grant recipient, artist-in-residence, and has initiated independent study opportunities here and abroad. She has participated in arts-related educational activities throughout her career, and offers 1:1 mentoring for emerging and established artists.
"Using shapes and colors inspired by synesthetic experience, I make paintings to enliven people where we work, rest, and gather. Seeing sound, hearing words, feeling under language for a visual pulse, my musical training remains an influence, as do my years as a writer and meditator. Most of my work is made with matte colors and pencils, and is richly textured with fiber pastes. I paint relatively large (sometimes multi-paneled) works on canvas, and smaller works on canvas and paper. All canvases are assembled and hand-stretched by me with care and focus and muscle. I like the ease of simple shapes and lines on repeat, and I like movement that runs off the edge. I want my work to have a bold, generous impact, and then, with changing light on the many layers brushed and sanded, to reveal and surprise over time. Painting is an honor and a calling and a practice. With real props to artists who show us the world is burning, my work reminds us the world is also turning. I take to heart the province of an artist to install our work as part of the steady, sustaining weave of collective and deep encouragement." |
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Media: Acrylic | Collage | Mixed Media | Painting
Studio Number: 83
Address: 2505 SE 11th Ave Ste #227 Portland, OR 97202
Community: SE Portland
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Email: MURDZA.art@proton.me
Website: murdza.art
Instagram: @tmurdza.studioart
