Through the keen eye of an art critic, one might view the Undercolor series by James Austin Murray on view at Bruno David Gallery, as a reservoir of creative potential—Murray's secret garden of exploration. Kept within the studio for years, these pieces represent an intimate, almost alchemical process, where artistic inquiry flourishes in solitude. Murray reflects on their role as a wellspring of inspiration, feeding directly into the contemplative elegance of his Light black series.

This exhibition, a symbiotic dialogue between the two series of his work, can be likened to an unfolding narrative—distinct yet interwoven chapters within the same story. Each piece stands as a testament to Murray's ability to navigate the liminal space between the scientific and the poetic, capturing subtle, enigmatic resonances that speak to both intellect and emotion. It is a celebration of duality, an invitation to ponder the harmonies and tensions that lie within his studio practice.

James Austin Murray lives and works in New York City. Murray was a firefighter for over a decade, working in the South Bronx, Harlem, the West Village, and on the Lower East Side. He taught at Parsons School of Design, New York. As a NYC firefighter during the September 11 th attack in New York City, Murray paints on how his life was informed following the atrocity of that day. His current work is both about the paint and the light reflected on and within it. Murray states, “Sometimes the dark is where you find the best surprises.”