Name: Bergen McMurray.
Day job: Principal technical program manager at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure in Seattle.
Out-of-office passion: Crafting distinctive wall art using scientific specimens such as bugs, bones, and butterflies.
McMurray’s experience in the tech and science sectors in Seattle spans various roles, including positions at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, her nonprofit biotech startup HiveBio, and Tableau Software. At Oracle, she focuses on workflow management, system design, and automation.
During weekends, McMurray shifts her focus from software bugs to a different kind of bug handling.
Together with her artistic partner Bevin Duncan, McMurray co-founded Ebb & Bone, a collaborative effort that takes them to art shows and festivals. Their work features elegantly framed spiders, butterflies, beetles, cockroaches, small mammal skulls, snake skeletons, and other upcycled objects sourced from the woods or entomology collections. The art pieces are a unique blend of beauty and spookiness, earning them the moniker “dead things art.”
McMurray emphasizes ethical and sustainable sourcing of specimens, ensuring no harm to ecosystems. Each piece is thoughtfully curated, with some skulls adorned with dried flowers or crystals, displayed on printed backgrounds. Ebb & Bone’s minimalist approach keeps the focus on the natural beauty of the specimens.
The most rewarding aspect of McMurray’s artistic pursuit is challenging viewers to reconsider their perspectives. By confronting them with the beauty of creatures and objects they might overlook, she aims to provoke thought and appreciation for the unconventional.
Her artwork not only serves as a creative outlet but also enhances her problem-solving skills. Whether managing technical programs or crafting art, McMurray navigates through unconventional challenges, honing her ability to think outside the box. Engaging in conversations with strangers during art showcases also sharpens her social skills, essential for her role as a program manager.
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