BRISBANE.- Idris Murphy returns to Mitchell Fine Art in Fortitude Valley with intimate, three-dimensional works that invite us to look at the landscape in an entirely new way with his new exhibition opening from 8 September 2026.
Bringing together two significant bodies of work, the exhibition presents a rare collection of 14 previously unseen dioramas alongside a new series of paintings inspired by the Australian outback. Alongside his paintings, these miniature constructions extend Murphy's ongoing exploration of place, memory, and the Australian landscape.
Murphy’s paintings similarly move beyond conventional representations of landscape. Working en plein air, he seeks to capture the spirit of a place rather than its literal likeness. His journeys through the Australian bush—described by the artist as ‘expeditions’—have provided a lifetime of visual and emotional experiences from which to draw.
“Rather than documenting, Idris’ works transform lived experience into vivid fields of colour and gesture, capturing the emotional resonance of remote country with a extraordinary vitality,” says Mitchell Fine Art Director Mike Mitchell.
Murphy's impact on Australian art is significant and multifaceted. His work challenges viewers to see the landscape in new ways, not just as a physical space but as a site of spiritual and emotional resonance.
Idris Murphy remains one of the countries most revered and influential artists with his works held in the collections the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, Parliament House Canberra, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Join Idris in the gallery on Saturday 12 September from 2.30pm as he discusses his inspiration for his latest exhibition, to be followed by an opening event. This is a free event.
The exhibition is showing until Saturday 10th October at Mitchell Fine Art in Arthur St, Fortitude Valley Brisbane.
Mitchell Fine Art is open 6 days a week; Monday to Friday 10am - 5.30pm and Saturday 10am - 5pm, with parking available onsite.
