Profile

Cara Murphy

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 Association of British Designer Silversmiths since 1996 and recently had her work selected for the Crafts Council of Ireland Portfolio.

Awards

Exhibitions

Since 1992 Cara's work has featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide

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.