Sands Murray-Wassink

Sands Murray-Wassink (b. 1974, Topeka, U.S.A.) lives and works in Amsterdam. After studying at the Pratt Institute (1992-1994) in Brooklyn, Murray-Wassink moved to the Netherlands in 1994 for an exchange program at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam for four months. For the next two full years (1995-1996) he studied at De Ateliers, Amsterdam. His objects/paintings and especially his performances blur the borders between art and life. Murray-Wassink is heavily influenced by feminist models, including his former teacher and long-time friend Carolee Schneemann. His gay sexuality, the lustful body, but also his long-term depression, his anger at the pain of life and therapeutic personal emancipation are themes in his work. Recent exhibitions include Cokkie Snoei Galerie, Rotterdam (2008, 2012 and 2013); SMART Project Space, Amsterdam (2012); Robert Miller Gallery, New York City (2011); Transgender Film Festival, Amsterdam (2011); Galerie Paul Andriesse, Amsterdam (2011); A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, New York City (2009); COCO Art Space, Vienna (2009); Amstel 41, Amsterdam (2009); and Lothringer13/Städtische Kunsthalle München (2007-8). Public collections include the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.