Painter, born in London, who graduated with honours from the University of Ulster, Belfast, 1989–94, with studies in Dublin at the National College of Art and Design, 1992. Murphy’s dark, romantic, figurative work owed more to the Renaissance than the twentieth century. Took part in many group shows in London and Northern Ireland, in 1994 winning the Bass Ireland Prize, at Belfast Young Contemporaries, One Oxford Street, Belfast, in 1997 The Ireland Fund of Great Britain Annual Arts Award. Solo exhibitions included Gorry Gallery, Dublin, 1996 and 2000; in 2002 he shared an exhibition there, Two Northern Contemporaries, with Comhghall Casey. Murphy’s output included book and stage design work and a commissioned portrait of the jazz singer and art critic George Melly.