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"We bought it for the river."

This is what James Murray said about the "wrecks" he and his wife bought at Fort Montgomery 33 years ago. Today, after renovation and transformation, they have collected materials for his sculptures. 

"I tend to clean, disassemble, cut them, and then re-weld them together," he explained. His raw materials mainly come from extensive demolition projects or items washed up on the banks of the Hudson River.

"As an urban archaeologist, I have been looking for materials and harvesting them," he said. "I found parts that the contractor didn't want. Some were struck by lightning, some were hit by bees, and some were nested in by squirrels. I don't like things that are neatly cut and cleaned. Instead, I Like some things, for example, the curve of the original sawmill. I became a partner of the material and added to it."

Murray has taught sculpture at the Garrison Art Center for 12 years. He is a contractor himself-he owns Murray Craft Builders. "There is always a deadline," he said. "I put art aside and focused on that deadline. Through this work, I have collaborated with many great designers. I have done a lot of unique interior design and published in many design magazines. I work at home and work. Art is often moved in the room because you forget to see clearly. This is how to see, or when to see." 

He is also a 100-ton power and sailing captain and holds a merchant ship operator's license. In this capacity, he brought ships from New York to Florida and the Antilles. He even ran a small ferry on Martha's Vineyard.

"I'm a sailor, really," Murray said with a smile. “It’s easy to collect a lot of materials for navigating and living on the river. I am lucky to be able to combine art and work.”

This fortune began with an "excellent art teacher" in Brooklyn, where Murray grew up. "When he has time, he will take us to dig dirt and stones, teach us stone carving; I also painted back then. In addition, my father started to let me learn wood carving when I was a teenager, so I got good guidance. , I am familiar with hand tools. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to be a sculptor."

As part of the first graduating class of the Manhattan School of Visual Arts, Murray benefited from a welding shop. It was there that he discovered the work of the sculptor David Smith. One of his mentors was Donnis, the late artist who worked for Garrison for many years. "He was an excellent artist and a good person with great patience," Murray recalled.

Upon graduation, Murray moved into an apartment on Big Jones Street in the East Village. "I became the carpenter of choice for young artists," he said. "I did some things, such as building stretchers and flat files. Over the years, I have opened three stores in the area."

Murray used his skills to build his art collection. "Maybe the painter will pay me half of the money and throw me a piece of art," he said. "Art is everywhere; people like Rauschenberg are across the street. I also became Paul von Ringelheim's assistant to the sculptor; he was my mentor."

Murray said that for his own work, he would start with a steel plate and then "shape it." I have never been good at sketchbooks. I use crayons or chalk to draw sketches on my materials. Before I process the material, I have no clear plan; the material is my partner. The finishing touch is very important. If it is painted, I will build up multiple colors. Then I work backwards, peeling, and suffering until I find the surface I want. Rust may be part of it. "

Carinda Swann, former director of the Garrison Art Center, approached Murray on teaching issues. He teaches in every season, except for summer, when he is busy sailing. The next course for students of all levels will start on January 8.

The course takes place in his studio and on the lawn, starting with him taking out a bunch of different materials. "We looked at it, and sure enough, someone made something in half an hour-this is a hands-on, dirty course. If the weather is sunny, windless, and 32 degrees, I'm very happy to work outside, and the students are also very happy. Happy."

Rooney has been writing for The Current since its inception in 2010. She is a multi-talented playwright who has lived in Cold Spring since 1999. She graduated from Binghamton University, majoring in history. Location: Cold Spring. language: English. Field of expertise: Art

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