Olsen Gallery presents Bananas in a tree, a solo exhibition by Australian artist Erin Murphy, at Olsen Annexe in Sydney. On view from October 28 to November 21, 2026, the exhibition brings together a new series of oil paintings depicting an eclectic range of subjects, from orange trees and French draft horses to monoliths, ladders and human figures. Drawing inspiration from the obscure pages of decommissioned library books, user manuals and illustrated histories, Murphy transforms overlooked visual references into lively and unexpected compositions.

With a distinctive combination of charm and wit, Murphy approaches painting as an opportunity to explore the extraordinary variety of the everyday world. Her works are characterised by energetic, rhythmic brushstrokes that move across the canvas, creating images that are both vivid and playful. Light remains an essential element of her practice, emerging through the spaces between the layers of paint and lending the compositions a sense of movement, openness and spontaneity.

Bringing together seemingly unrelated subjects, Bananas in a tree celebrates the richness of visual information and the endless possibilities of artistic observation. Murphy's paintings invite viewers to rediscover the beauty of ordinary things, encouraging curiosity about the objects, figures and landscapes that populate the world. Through her expressive approach, the artist turns fragments of reference material into vibrant images that convey both the complexity and delight of looking.