Artists
John Albert Murphy
Career Level: Established
Medium: Ceramics
Open for Commissions: Yes
I am a practicing studio ceramic artist, retired from 33 years at Ford Motor Company since 2007, and retired since 2020 from adjunct professorship of ceramics in southeast Michigan for over 35 years.
About
I earned a BFA from Eastern Michigan University, 1975. I earned a MFA from Wayne State University, 1985. I taught ceramics, 3D-design, and sculpture part time since 1985. I am a former President of the Michigan Ceramics Art Association (formerly called Michigan Potter's Association). I was Director of Ceramics at Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association, 2011-2012. I have competed in Ceramics competitions Locally, Nationally, and Internationally for over 50 years. I have travelled to Europe, Asia, and America for symposiums, conferences, and Artist Residences. My ceramic artwork is in museums around the world. I have supported "Empty Bowls" fundraisers since the first one here in Michigan, 1990. I supported the most recent Empty Bowls 2026 at Shed #3, Eastern Market, in conjunction with the NCECA "Visions" Conference at Huntington Place, downtown Detroit. I am passionate about my ceramic art, and will continue to be, always.
Artist Statement
Slip cast porcelain vessel forms are my current choice of development. I make original forms out of clay and cast plaster molds of the forms to slip cast in. I am purposely casting thin wall forms to accentuate the translucent qualities of porcelain. I recently started using a new material in my porcelain clay body recipe for superior whiteness and translucency. I use masking tape to stencil the pattern desired and then use colored slips, applying them with a toothbrush, referencing “Abstract Expressionism”, namely “Pointillism”, to create a more intense pallet for the painting I wish to create. For my latest efforts I am using a “pouring or dripping” technique, reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s abstract expression application of paint on his work. I am enjoying a fuller palette now on my porcelain “canvases” with this additional glazing technique. When I was teaching, I would tell my students, "First I work out the ideas or inspirations in my mind and in my heart…………then I merely execute." Sometimes it takes me weeks or months to resolve the design of any given work before I even begin to build it. I constantly learn as I go. The work evolves, reveals changes or accidents, until it is finished. Sometimes my work references inspirations, current events, personal information, or just entertains dreams.
Gallery
Upcoming Exhibitions:
62nd Annual MEA/MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition 2026, MEA Headquarters, East Lansing, Michigan, May 2nd - July 29th, 2026,
Hot Dam, Detroit Artists Market, Detroit, Michigan, May 29 - June 26, 2026.
Past Exhibitions:
Michigan Fine Arts Competition 2024, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, Michigan 2024
Solo Exhibition, John Albert Murphy Covid-19 To The Present, Detroit Contemporary, Detroit, Michigan 2023
Canvas Pontiac, 2022, Pontiac, Michigan, 3rd Award.
7th Annual 5x5x5 Show, 2022, River Oaks Arts Center, Alexandria, LA.
Invitational Mississippi Clay Works Exhibition, 2022, Meridian, Mississippi.
Spring Salon 2022, Detroit Contemporary, Detroit, Michigan, Jury selection for 2023. 24th San Angelo Ceramics Competition 2022, San Angelo Museum, San Angelo, Texas, Merit Award. 2021 Korea International Ceramics Biennale, Icheon, Korea, Honorable Mention. 2021 CraftForms 2021, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, Pa.
Awards & Residencies:
2020 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale Competition, Taipei, Taiwan, Recommendation Prize.
2020 Michigan Ceramics Art Association, Michigan Ceramics 2020 Competition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Honorable Mention.
2017 The 6th China Changchun International Ceramics Symposium Artist Residency, Changchun, China. 2016 Taiwan International Ceramics Competition, Taipei, Taiwan, Honorable Mention. 2016 The 5th China Changchun International Ceramics Symposium Artist Residency, Changchun, China. 2015 Lansing 50th Anniversary Fine Art Competition, Best of Show Award.
2013 The 8th Cheongju International Craft Competition, Honorable Mention.
2012 The Nineteenth San Angelo National Ceramic Competition, Merit Award. 2011 The 9th International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan, Honorable Mention.
2009 5th World Ceramic Biennale 2009 Korea, Ichon, Korea, Honorable Mention.