Caitlin Murphy

I’m a Northern Irish artist and metalsmith. After graduating from The Glasgow School of Art in 2022, I spent two years at Bishopsland Educational Trust, where I was able to fully immerse myself in making. During this time, I was honoured to receive a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Emerging Maker Award, Retail Jeweller of the Year, and three Gold Awards from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council.

I later returned to The Glasgow School of Art as an Artist in Residence for one year before relocating closer to London, where I now work independently as a full-time metalsmith and jewellery artist. A defining milestone during my residency was having a piece acquired for the permanent collection of The Goldsmiths’ Company. This was an early affirmation that continues to shape my ambitions as a maker.

My practice began during lockdown when I started weaving paper. That small moment of exploration has since taken me on a much bigger material journey, moving from paper into precious metals such as 18-carat gold. By weaving and folding thin metals as if they were paper, I create sculptural pieces that are designed to adorn both the home and the body. Alongside precious metals, I also work with refractive materials such as titanium and niobium, which allow me to introduce vibrant, mesmerising colour into my work.

I enjoy challenging the boundaries of silversmithing and jewellery, and I often find my practice overlaps into other disciplines such as fine art, interior design, and textiles. My wall pieces, for example, I refer to as “metal paintings,” a name that reflects both their sculptural presence and their connection to other creative fields. Having exhibited widely across the UK and Ireland, I remain committed to pushing my practice forward through experimentation and a deep dedication to making.