Timothy ‘TB’ Murphy
As a self-taught artist emerging from the Texas landscape, my digital work reflects the diverse influences that have shaped my creative journey. I move fluidly between clean minimalist designs inspired by Bauhaus and Mid-Century Modern aesthetics to bold pop art pieces that capture elements of American culture.
My path began with a deep appreciation for the principles of good design, but natural curiosity led me to explore beyond traditional boundaries. Through years of experimentation in the digital realm, I've developed a signature style that ranges from architectural precision to playful cultural commentary. My work demonstrates that clean lines and bold expression aren't mutually exclusive.
My current body of work exemplifies this versatility - each piece, whether leaning toward geometric minimalism or pop art expression, reveals new layers of detail with repeated viewing. Being self-taught has allowed me to bring a fresh perspective to digital art, creating pieces that invite viewers to look twice and discover something unexpected.
For my Gloze Museum submission, I've selected pieces from my Pop Culture Remix series that explore America's relationship with consumption and cultural identity. Each digital collage juxtaposes vintage imagery against contemporary perspective through vibrant color manipulation and textured overlays.
"Miss Molly Lolly" plays with the innocent yet voyeuristic qualities of mid-century beauty advertising, while "Moxie" resurrects a forgotten brand icon against a backdrop of nostalgic ephemera. My Swinging London piece, "Mod" captures the mod fashion revolution through fragmented magazine layouts and bold typography typical of the era. "History of the Atom" reimagines Cold War science education alongside the cheerful domesticity found in period advertisements.
"Black Gold Dreams" rounds out the collection by celebrating the distinctive graphic design of petroleum advertising, with its bold company logos, industrial imagery, and character mascots set against electric blue backdrops. Throughout the series, I've tried to honor the optimistic commercial aesthetic of mid-century design while adding contemporary visual commentary.
"We use the term pop in the art world, as in Pop Art, but we forget that its root is popular - popular culture." - Jeffrey Deitch