AZ Art Weekly

Fine art photographer, Tim H. Murphy, is excited to announce a new exhibit of his photographs will open on February 1, 2025 at ASU Gammage Theater, 1200 S. Forest Ave., in Tempe, AZ. The artist will be featuring photographs that he has taken at Native American Indian Pow Wow dance presenta- tions in Arizona.There will be an opportunity to meet with the photographer at the Artist Open House on February 6 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Complimentary tickets for entry to the Open House will be at the Gammage Box Office on the East side of the building. Parking is available in the ASU Gammage lot at no charge. 

In this powerful series of works entitled Pow Wow Portraits, Tim shares closeup images of the dancers faces to reveal the drama of the Pow Wow’s cultural tradition of celebrating life through dance. As Tim recalls, “I at- tended my first Pow Wow in March, 2016 and was immediately captivated! It was a feast for the senses. Scores of American Indians in colorful dance outfits with painted faces. The soundtrack was a thundering beat of drums, and the air was laced with the buttery smell of fry bread.” Tim continues to explain his ap- proach to photographing the Pow Wow dancers, “As a photographer, I was absolutely in heaven. The scene was so exotic, so festive. So many dancers, young and old, male and female, all dressed in regalia, the likes of which I had never seen. Over the course of the twenty-four Pow Wows that I have photographed, I de- veloped a style. I gravitated to shooting close-ups of the dancers’ faces. Portraits, if you will. I was in- spired to capture and display the beauty, grace, pride, and power of the American Indians participating in their Pow Wows.” 

Tim and his wife, Debbie, have lived in Arizona for the past twenty-nine years. Tim had a successful career with American Express Company in global sales leadership. In 2000, he was inducted into the American Express Company’s Worldwide Hall of Fame, which is their highest level of employee recognition. Tim retired twelve years ago and had planned for a retirement that would be filled with golfing in Arizona and Ireland, road biking, and other outdoor pursuits. Those plans had to be put aside when he developed a rare neurological disorder that affected his balance and mobility, dramatically changing the direction of his life. To fill the void in his life, Tim’s wife suggested he revisit a previous interest he had in photography. This turned out to be one of the most fulfilling pivots he could make in his life. He enthusiastically began taking his camera with him everywhere he went. Fast forward twelve years later, and Tim has achieved remarkable success with his photography. Most importantly it has become a source of great joy in his life. In addition to the many books and exhibits, one of his images has been used on an Arizona bank’s debit card. In 2022, Tim received national recognition for his photography promoting Ireland from the Irish Echo, the oldest Irish American newspaper in the United States, when they honored him with their Community Champion Award. In that same year, he received the Lifetime Excellence Award from his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. 

“I go to great lengths to create compelling and unique images. I have navigated castle towers, light- houses, and centuries-old abbeys. I’ve risen in the wee hours to photograph the moon and even chartered a fishing boat to snap a unique Irish castle, all while bobbing about in the North Atlantic Ocean!” - Tim H. Murphy 

Tim H. Murphy’s exhibit at the ASU Gammage will be the first opportunity for the public to view this unique body of work. Pow Wow Portraits will be on exhibit during the month of February 2025. The photographer is looking forward to meeting the public at the Artist Open House on February 6 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The exhibit will also be available for viewing during showtimes at the theater and by request and appointment through the artist. For more information, visit www.timhmurphy.com.