Specializing in fine contemporary art, Envision Gallery is rooted in its ties to the Murray family: Two generations of artists from Manhattan who eventually made their way West. Envision was founded in 2003, but its origins date much earlier.
When owner and director Jimmy Murray was born in New York City in 1962, the inimitable Andy Warhol was one of his first hospital visitors. Jimmy's mother, Pintki, an art director for the New York-based shoe designer I. Miller, quickly recognized Warhol's talent and hired him as a commercial illustrator for the firm. These vibrant fashion illustrations became Warhol's first renowned works, loved by his devotees for their power, personality, and Pop simplicity.
Pintki's own artistic evolution led from her start in commercial art direction to becoming an accomplished ceramist. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in New York, Connecticut, and in Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. Her husband, John Murray, left a CLIO-award-winning Madison Avenue advertising career in the 1970s to become a painter. John moved his young family to a loft in the SoHo arts district, where he exhibited his photorealist paintings at the O.K. Harris, Andrew Crispo, and Meisel galleries. Both Jimmy and his younger brother, Mieshiel, were heavily influenced by their parents’ talent and the intimate, early exposure to the burgeoning Manhattan gallery scene.
“I really enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for contemporary art, because I grew up with it at the height of the New York art world in the 1970s and 80s, visiting galleries and interacting with the artists of that time,” says Jimmy.
In the 70's, Jimmy attended Friends Seminary by day, and at night he frequented the Mudd Club, CBGBs, and Studio 54 dance clubs. From 1980 to 1984, he studied film at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, while working as a bartender at Danceteria. His graduate film, "Doris and Inez Speak the Truth," starred Warhol Factory superstar Jackie Curtis and actor Tom Noonan. His movie was recently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in NYC as part of their “Club 57 Film, Performance and Art in the East Village 1978-1983” exhibition.
After graduating film school, Jimmy worked in the commercial film industry until moving to Taos in 1989. Since 2005, he has directed and subsequently owned Envision Gallery.
“We designed the gallery as an open, intimate showcase for fine contemporary art in a variety of media, styles, and subject matter,” Jimmy says. “For both Taos locals and international visitors, Envision has become a popular gathering place, where unexpected, magical meetings and connections often occur.”