Marker Magic

Agitprop, a recent work in graphite by Ethan Murrow

A Sharpie isn’t just a humble office supply in the hand of Ethan Murrow. Known for photorealistic yet slyly surreal drawings in graphite, ballpoint pen and, yep, the familiar marker, Murrow will fill the ICA’s sprawling Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Art Wall with Seastead, a response to the museum’s waterfront digs executed entirely in Sharpie. “The drawing deals with rising water levels and the massive building push that is ongoing throughout Boston,” says the SMFA professor, who’ll create Seastead in full view of ICA goers June 28-July 10. It’s not the first time he’s had an audience. “The toughest and best was at a museum in West Virginia, where huge school groups, mostly kindergartners, came in and peppered me with questions nonstop for hours.” Not that Murrow minded the kids’ “blunt, funny and tough” inquisition. “I’m interested in the spur-of-the-moment dialogue that crops up as people inquire about imagery and intentions,” he explains. “I enjoy being put on the spot.”


Related Articles

Comments are closed.