(Untitled) Tallest Torso, 2 x 5.5 feet, 2021
(Untitled) “Dela Robia” Self Portrait, 18 x 18 in, 2021
(Untitled) Twin Cameos, 9.5 x 16 & 12 x 20 in, 2021
Morbus Animi
I explore the different aspects of mental illness through clay in my figurative sculptures. I use nature motifs, displaying the impact that mental illness has on the human body and the different coping mechanisms people use. As someone who has experienced anxiety and depression, I aspire to understand how others deal with those illnesses in their own personal life. There are many factors that can cause mental illnesses, and I want to display those through my ceramic sculpture. I portray depression and anxiety through nature-based motifs, applied in imposing scales and distorted proportions of the human body.
Flowers grow through the surface, erupting/breaking through the skin to blossom. Each flower then goes through the stages of life eventually dying. This represents the growth of the person as they experience their illness. Vines or roots are seen crawling beneath the skin looking for weak spots to explode and drain the body of sustenance.Some figures experience disassociation, and use coping mechanisms that also affect them. These mechanisms are seen in many ways in my work, some are headless, interact with other pieces, or are surrounded by other objects.
Over 450 million people are affected by mental health issues and use various coping mechanisms. Each individual has a unique experience within each situation. With this body of work, I want to show my life experiences and connect with the viewer to see a different perspective. Hopefully to either connect personally in their experiences or to see that others go through this. I have experienced a lot of dark times throughout my life. I want to show how I have felt and how others have dealt with these processes.
Artist Bio
Cody Murray is from Hutchinson, Kansas, and is graduating from the University of Kansas, getting his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics. He began his ceramics career in high school and has been in love since then. While at the University of Kansas he has begun working on his style of work in sculpture and in wheel throwing. In his exploration of style, so far he has looked at the manifestation of mental illnesses through sculpture. He looks forward to graduating this semester with his degree and beginning his career as a solo artist.
Cody Murray
He/Him/His
Lawrence, KS • CodyMurray1802@yahoo.com • (620) 960-2741
Education
University of Kansas
August 2017 to May 2021
- Major: Bachelors of Fine Arts (Ceramics)
- Minor: History of Art
- Expected: May 2021, GPA: 3.69
Work Experience
Kansas Union Gallery Internship - Lawrence, KS 2018 to Present
● Juried multiple semesters of student and nonstudent artists
● Managed functions of the gallery, installations, and receptions
● Maintenance of the gallery, patching, painting, and supplies
● Research of other Student Unions and the productivity of the space
Student Union Activities - Lawrence, KS 2018 to 2020
● Fine Arts Gallery Coordinator
● Vice President of Communications
● President/Executive Director
The Student Union Activities promotes connections across campus through diverse events.
Formerly as President, I helped advise the organization. Leadership within the organization
works with large budgets, writes contracts, runs meetings, leads groups of students, and plans
events of all sizes.
Exhibitions
Annual Student Scholarship Exhibition - Chalmers Hall, KU Annually, 2018 - 2020
● Spring 2018, awarded scholarship
● Spring 2019, awarded scholarship
Morbus Animi - Kansas Union Gallery, KU Spring 2021
● Senior show displaying work created throughout my college career
Skills
● Knowledge of various wheel throwing techniques
● Experience with building large-scale hand building
● Mixing of clays and glazes
● Loading and running electric and gas kilns
● Plaster mold making and slip casting
