Murcia’s sculptures are distinguished by their strong material presence and a synthesis of myth, science, art, and technology. While abstract in appearance, his forms are informed by a long-standing study of anatomy, which underpins an intuitive understanding of structure, tension, and balance rather than appearing as literal figuration. This grounding lends the works a sense of subtle physicality, even as they gesture toward forces beyond the visible or tangible.
The title MaTi, referencing ‘matter and time,’ encapsulates the core concepts of Murcia’s work, emphasising the interconnectedness of physical form and the passage of time. Across the series, light functions as a sculptural element rather than a display feature. Integrated LED systems allow subtle shifts in colour and tone, gradually transforming the emotional register of each work. As the light changes, the sculptures seem to breathe and evolve, reinforcing Murcia’s fascination with transformation, perception, and unseen energies that shape existence.
Murcia works with materials such as sand, epoxy resin, plaster, MDF, enamel paint, and LED lights. Each sculpture is carefully constructed and layered to create depth, surface variation, and luminosity. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary technology results in works that feel both elemental and otherworldly, grounded in material while expansive in sensation.
Born in 1981 in the Canary Islands, Murcia studied fine arts at the University of La Laguna, where intensive training in anatomy profoundly shaped his understanding of form, structure, and movement. In 2010, during a formative period in Copenhagen, he contributed to significant artistic projects, further developing his approach to scale and materiality. Returning to Spain, he completed the large-scale public commission Homenaje al Chicharrero, refining his command of monumental form.
Since relocating to New Zealand in 2013, Murcia has undergone a significant personal and artistic evolution. A fortuitous meeting with Sir Richard Taylor led to an enduring creative partnership and patronage, with Taylor becoming a key collector of Murcia’s work. Building on his earlier Oxidations series, Murcia introduced the Eidos series, which was exhibited in Europe in 2019 and New York in 2020. During the pandemic, he established Sculpture Studio by Javier Murcia in Wellington, an artistic space dedicated to contemporary sculptural practice and research.
Parnell Gallery has represented Javier Murcia since 2025.
