Profile
Cara Murphy leads research in contemporary silversmithing at the University of Ulster where she is an Associate Lecturer in Silversmithing and Jewellery.
In addition to lecturing, Cara runs her own silversmithing practice and her silver tableware is represented in many national and international public and private collections including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ulster Museum, Belfast; 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 works mainly to commission and exhibits her silverware internationally. Her award winning silver tableware has been showcased in numerous high profile applied art and silversmithing exhibitions. During her career Cara has also created many prestigious awards, which have been presented by prominent dignitaries.
Trained at Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art Cara has won many distinguished awards for her work throughout her career.
Cara has been a selected member of the Contemporary British Silversmiths (formerly the Association of British Designer Silversmiths) since 1996 and recently had her work selected for the Crafts Council of Ireland Portfolio.
Awards
- 2009 – Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
- 2008 – Major Individual Award (£15,000) Arts Council of Northern Ireland
- 2006 - Selected for Portfolio, Crafts Council of Ireland
- 2005 - Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Arts Award
- 2004/2005 -Research Leave from the University of Ulster
- 2003 - Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Arts Award
- 2002 -Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Arts Award
- 1997 - Winner of the Kilkenny Beer 'Cream of Irish Awards', Craft and Design Section
- 1996 - Arts Council of Northern Ireland Creative Arts Award
- 1994 - Present - Continued Annual Support from the University of Ulster School Research Committee
- 1994 - Awarded the Crafts Council of Ireland Quality Mark
- 1994 - Selfridge Prize, Highly Commended, Royal College of Art
- 1993 - 1994 - Precious Metal Bursary, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London
- 1993 - Eurocraft participant Copenhagen / Belfast
- 1992 - Winner of Cutlery Design Award, Royal College of Art
- 1992 - Richard Hubbard Arroll Memorial Prize, Glasgow School of Art
- 1992 - Winner of the British Stainless Steel Student Design Awards
Exhibitions
Since 1992 Cara's work has featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide.
2009
Silver with a Pinch of Salt
Cara has been invited to exhibit ‘Furrows’ at this major exhibition at Goldsmiths Hall, London.
Collect
Cara’s work has been selected as one of five applied artists from Ireland to represent the National Craft Gallery at Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at The Saatchi Gallery 14-17th May 2009.
British Silver Week
Cara’s work will be showcased at the Gowan Gallery, Sawbridgeworth, England.
Side by Side Edge to Edge
A Contemporary British Silversmiths exhibition at Häme Castle, Finland.
2008
Silver Sounds
This award winning permanent exhibition at Queens University, Belfast relaunched Queen’s extensive silver collection to the public. Working in partnership with Fällt, Sonic Arts Research Centre and Cara Murphy this exhibition merges sounds with the silver in a contemporary context. Cara’s centerpiece ‘Seed Heads’ forms an integral part of the exhibition and is the first piece Queens has commissioned for their collection.
For more info go to www.naughtongallery.org/silversounds.
Connect: Eat and Drink
This exhibition, where Cara showcased ‘Swaying Reflections’, toured to a number of venues in the UK. In August it was shown in Hillsborough Courthouse, in Northern Ireland, as part of Craft Month.
University of Ulster
Celebrating the work of five internationally renowned silversmiths, all with a connection to the University of Ulster, this exhibition was shown as part of Craft Month in Hillsborough Courthouse alongside Connect.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
At the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. A selected exhibition jointly organized by the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool.
Portfolio
At the Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool. A selected exhibition jointly organized by the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool.
2007
Made in Northern Ireland
In 2007 Cara’s work was selected as part of a showcase for Northern Ireland for the Smithsonian exhibition in Washington DC and additional exhibitions in the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast and the Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown.
Connect
Cara was invited to create a piece for the ‘Connect’ exhibition, Birmingham. The exhibition will be launched at the Association of British Designer Silversmiths ‘Connect’ conference in July before touring the UK. The silver for this piece was sponsored by Cookson Precious Metals.
Moments of Indulgence
‘Moments of Indulgence’ is an ABDS exhibition at Sheffield Millenium Galleries and Museums August-October. Cara created ‘Seed Drills’ for the exhibition, designed to hold Malteasers, this piece creates a landscape of ‘growing’ chocolate for the table.
2006
Silver Connections
Three applied artists, two generations and one hundred years of experience. 'Silver Connections' was a major Crafts Council of Ireland National Touring Exhibition showcasing new work of Cara and her parents, Michael and Deirdre McCrory.
For more info go to www.silver-connections.org.
Curriculum Vitae
Download Cara's Curriculum Vitae.
