Opening Day

Encounters: Althea Murphy-Price

Sunday, January 17 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The accomplished works of this mid-career printmaker and sculptor from Knoxville, TN explore the links between individuality and assimilation, and their influence on culture and personal identity. Murphy-Price often manipulates manufactured synthetic and human hair, emphasizing its role as embellishment, as well as its ability to signify racial identity. She explains, “I am fascinated by the inexplicable link between the subject of hair and its influence on our social culture and personal identity. Much of my inspiration has derived from hair’s significant relevance to Black American culture and community.” Murphy-Price uses both hair and hair accessories to create prints and sculptural installations, including signature Hair Rugs which are created by dusting synthetic hair over a lace overlays to create striking carpet-like patterns.

Murphy-Price received her Master of Arts in printmaking and painting from Purdue University and earned her Master of Fine Arts at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University. She is currently Associate Professor of Printmaking at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Organized by HMA.