Artist Brendan Murphy on studios, spacemen and Saudi Arabia  

Complete Control brings his blockbuster artworks to Riyadh.  

If you want to understand the American artist Brendan Murphy, look at The Boonji Spaceman. The 22-foot high, 3,000-pound golden statue was erected in Hodges Bay Resort, Antigua. Surrounded by the ocean, it withstood hurricanes and waves. Now, he’s bringing that chutzpah to his exhibition Complete Control at Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 7 November. Welcome to the world of blockbuster art – if Steven Spielberg made sculptures, it would resemble Brendan’s back catalogue.  

Brendan was born in Bloomington, Indiana, and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. He had an unconventional entry in the art world, and never studied at an art school. Instead, he went from being a professional footballer to a Wall Street trader. After the September 11 attacks in New York, he swapped the trading floor for the art studio.

Today, he works from Miami, Florida, and possesses an infectious enthusiasm. He recalls: “I made a big pivot. Where I come from being creative wasn’t an occupation. As an athlete you’re used to being alone training and being disciplined. If you want to be a creative person, you have to be ready to be in the studio by yourself. You need to do your 10,000 hours.”

When he isn’t in the studio, he loves music from Bob Marley to David Bowie, playing tennis and spending time with his three children. It doesn’t take much for him to be inspired. “You are mining with hopes that you hit a vein. I don’t mine very deep, it’s all there. It’s like the oil in Saudi Arabia,” he laughs.

Brendan’s artwork boasts his spectacular signature elements, and a sense of showmanship. The carbon fiber sculptures come in bright, bold colours or with dazzling diamonds – 517 carat ones, no less. His artwork includes Coming Out with a spacesuit that looks like it’s walking out of the wall, Life is a Jigsaw of four metallic pieces, and Loole Bear in shades of pink and blue. 

Over his career, he has been compared to provocative artists, from the British Damien Hirst to the American Jeff Koons. Both hit the headlines for sensational sales. How do you balance the creative and commercial side? “While I’m working, the commercial strategy doesn’t come into play. It’s a slippery slope. I’m not in the business of trying to figure out what the audience wants and make what I like”.

“I’m not a politically driven artist. I’m in the business of making beautiful things. I’m in the wow business. That’s a responsibility I take seriously. Art is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It makes everything better, from my kids’ lives to your life,” he says matter-of-factly.

From Miami to MBS

Brendan’s celebrity fans include Novak Djokovic, Ryan Gosling, Serena Williams and Warren Buffet. In the GCC, he might not be as well-known, but he sees it as an extraordinary opportunity. He enthuses: “It’s exciting for me. The best analogy is if you were a musician, and there’s a new audience that hasn’t heard your music. The drive for most artists is to not only make work, but to share it. The bigger the stadium, the larger the numbers”.

Since the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched Saudi Vision 2030, Western artists have increasingly made their way to the Kingdom. While each artist has varying knowledge about the country, Brendan is not only informed but impassioned. And, he’s combining his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia with the UAE.

“My first trip to Saudi Arabia was seamless. I met Saudis who had been coming to the United States many times, and who went to college in the States, which I didn’t see coming. I found the people to be nice, and they were interested in why people were coming to the country,” he smiles.

“I love it. I’m overwhelmed with the opportunity. I know a lot about the history and the House of Saud. It has all the makings of a creative revolution. This is a long-term journey for me. And, me and my wife see ourselves potentially living there.”

When he is in Saudi Arabia, he meets young artists. He clearly cares about the future of the country’s creative scene, and is just as open to learning as teaching. He reflects: “I’m intrigued as to why Saudi Arabian art is brown and earthy. Is that the social scene? Are people afraid? I’m fascinated by why it’s so muted”. And, even after we finish the interview, he continues asking questions.

Brendan Murphy: we look forward to watching you paint the town. 

GO: Visit https://www.brendanmurphyart.com for more information.