Ben Murphie

Our sixth artist was multi-practice musician, Ben Murphie. Ben presented a unique POV within his artistry, in which Battenberg colouring (pink and yellow) bleeds into everything he does. He used the residency to build upon his professional practice, explore innovative ways of making work, and introduce the St Margaret’s House community to the Battenberg Lifestyle!

Ben's art flourished over lockdown, where he expanded his creativity with music into work with textiles, immersive live shows and, in some cases sculpture. With his art, he sends of a message of cheerfulness, boldness and about being comfortable being the truest you that you can be.

Through a mixture of photography, textiles work, music and performance, Ben hopes to finish his residency with a culminative, cabaret-style live performance that examines gender roles and masculinity through the lens of clothing.

Photoshoot: ‘The great flamboyance of bethnal green’

“This photo shoot was designed to ask questions about gender and presentation in a historical context. The Georgian era was a time when mainstream cis gendered men would present themselves in a much more flamboyant and feminine manner than is perhaps seen in mainstream society today. This was reflected in the Battenberg clothing and make-up choices. By also introducing items traditionally used only within modern mainstream masculine culture (the sledgehammer) and painting them to bring them in to the Battenberg colour aesthetic, I hoped to see what meaning would arise by distorting these traditional symbols of that culture. By smashing historically feminine dress and scenery with modern masculine construction items, I wanted to witness the aesthetic conversation that resulted in the photos”