Denis Murphy was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1935. Having no formal art training, he began working in 1950 as an illustrator and cartoonist.

After spending a few years in Zambia, he was drawn into wildlife art, travelling to Swaziland and Kenya.
He was also known for his work in philately in Southern Africa. This resulted in commissions for South Africa, Namibia, Transkei and Ciskei, winning awards for ‘Best Stamp of the Year’ as well as ‘Artist of the Year’.
His exhibitions included The Explorers Club, NY, The Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg and The Mount Kenya Art Galleries at the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki, Kenya.

Between 1985 and 1991, he was commissioned by early wildlife conservationists in Kenya, Don and Iris Hunt, to paint Ahmed and his askaris and a set of 5 vanishing species to include the Gerenuk. All prints from these originals were made in limited editions, signed and numbered by the artist.

His work contributed to the conservation causes of The Mt. Kenya Animal Orphanage at the Mt. Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki, Kenya and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife amongst others.

He passed away in June 2012 at the age of 77.