Tired ClichÉs

Installation: 25/8 Gallery Harvard Square

Tired Clichés is a solo exhibition by Isola Murray, where nature and urban life collide.  A cozy, chaotic household materializes, inhabited by a cast of beloved animal archetypes. Inspired by the way nature finds a way to thrive in cities—whether in a hidden garden or a green space between buildings—Murray’s work brings to life a playful menagerie of papier-mâché and mixed-media creatures that hover between two- and three-dimensional spaces.

With a background in traditional media and a deep love for fauna and fable, Murray references the animals and plants tied to specific sites, drawing on their symbolic histories to create characters that feel both familiar and delightfully absurd. From Celeste, the no-nonsense horse who is the voice of reason, to Muriel, the gossiping sheep, to Algernon, the dandy goat, each character reflects Murray’s fascination with personality and place. 

Tired Clichés invites viewers into a world where tired old stories and familiar characters find new life. It’s a celebration of nature’s resilience, the humor in daily life, and the unexpected joys of a world built on whimsy, wit, and heart.

—Introduction text written by Yolanda He Yang. Installation made possible by Behind VA Shadows.

  • Muriel

    Muriel is a loud and good-natured ewe, and is like an aun to her roommates. She tells everyone’s business to anyone that will listen, and is Celeste’s cheery second in command.

  • Septimus

    Septimus is deeply sensitive and easily excitable. He is a gifted chef, frequently cooking for the house. Though he is ridiculous, he is loved by all who know him.

  • Monique

    Monique is a lover of the finer things. She shares Algernon’s eye for fashion, firmly believing in overdressing for the occasion. She is just a touch vain, but honestly, can we blame her?

  • Coriander

    Coriander is a great listener in a house of chatty animals. Thus, they are everyone’s favorite. They always smell nice, and generally provide a soothing presence in any room they enter.

  • Celeste

    Celese is a formidable presence, but is often the voie of reason. She is known to spend her evenings gossiping over card games with Muriel, sherry in hand.

  • Delia

    Delia is a classic”eldest daughter” in temperament. She gives great advice, but never takes her own. She reads to stories to Coriander every night, simetimes putting herself to sleep before the little owl.

  • Algernon

    Algernon is a dandy through and through. He has impeccable taste in all things, except perhaps his romantic exploits. His poetry is not very good either, but he makes up for it tenfold in delivery.

  • Florian

    Florian is the great hobbyist of he house. They collect stamps, coinds and corks, and have been known to lose entire weekends to a puzzle. They are a generous soul, though often distracted with their own musings.

  • Laverne

    Laverne is Monique’s partner in crime. With six legs each, the pair have developed a dizzying version of “Patty Cake” that they play constantly. Laverne loves to dance.

The Film

Tired Clichés is a short film developed in collaboration with the filmmaker, Tristan Calvo-Studdy. It complements the themes of nature and family in the exhibit while incorporating Calvo-Studdy’s cinematic stylings. The film features a roll call of Murray’s characters, drawing inspiration from vintage video puppet shows like Baby Einsteins. We see the animals walking in and out of frame, bringing them to life and revealing their individual personalities. The filmmaker evokes feelings of nostalgia through his utilization of the VHS medium, transporting us to a time of childhood innocence. The result is a formal introduction to Murray’s world of rest and relaxation, with careful attention given to each member of her animal family.

Tristan and I became friends while working at the ICA. I took his habit of scribbling in small notebooks to mean he was “good people.” This was proven correct in more ways than one; through him I also met the wonderful Maddie. The two of them have such an ability to create narrative, and to let it get weird. When we learned of our shared love for puppets, a collaboration was inevitable. 

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