Artist Bio
Cara Murphy is an award winning contemporary silversmith, based in Northern Ireland. Her silverware is largely influenced by the natural environment. She has always had an interest in combining silver with other materials, especially stone and wood. More recently the colours of the Irish landscape have become dominant in her silverware. Adding this colour with transparent vitreous enamel enables her to create organic patterns on the surface of the silver that are highlighted by the refraction of light.
Cara works mainly to commission and exhibits her work internationally. Her silver tableware is represented in many national and international public and private collections including: the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection; the Pearson Silver Collection; the Office of Public Works Ireland; The Silver Trust Collection at Downing Street; the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; the Royal Ulster Academy; the Ulster Museum; the National Museum of Ireland; the Shipley Art Gallery, Newcastle Upon Tyne; Aberdeen Art Gallery; the Arts Council an Chomhairle Ealaoin; the Irish Embassy Collection; and the Royal College of Art, London.
Cara has won several awards for her work including the Royal Dublin Society Irish Craft Bursary 2021; the Rosy James Memorial Trust Award 2016; RDS Award of Excellence and California Gold Medal 2012; Major Individual Award, Arts Council of Northern Ireland 2008; and the British Stainless Steel Design Award 1992.
