the iapetus blog thing

Artist interview: we talk to jeweller Geraldine Murphy

Have you ever wondered what’s behind the creative work of your favourite jewellery designers and artists? How do they come up with their designs? Where do they look for inspiration, and who do they imagine wearing the finished pieces? Well, we have been quizzing some of our designers to find out the answers to these burning questions. This month, it’s Dublin-based jeweller Geraldine Murphy’s turn in the hot seat.

Geraldine Murphy with her lurcher, Toni

Geraldine’s Saba Jewellery designs were added to iapetus gallery’s collection earlier this year. Her enamelled copper necklaces and earrings are full of colour and movement, based on a delightful array of animals such as hares, owls and otters. Most recently, we have added a selection of Geraldine’s original wall art that translates the same love of animals in action into larger, framed art pieces. It’s intriguing, wonderful work and we couldn’t wait to dig deeper into its creator’s inspirations.

Q: Tell us a bit about what drew you to jewellery design?
A. Hmm, I remember working at an advertising agency in San Francisco and one of the girls showed me a ring that she had made at a night class and I was so impressed! Although it was a good five or six years later that I decided to try it for myself.

Geraldine’s pretty Bluetit Drop Earrings

I worked in classical animation for a few years, drawing and doing colour, and while I found it interesting to work with so many artistic people (one of the films I worked on won a BAFTA in 2002 – I wish I could take some credit but I was way down in the pecking order!), I found that there was something missing; it turns out that it was making something solid that you could actually hold in your hand. When I started a jewellery night course I finally felt like I had found what I was looking for. That’s why I think people should do as many different classes and courses as they can if they feel that there is something artistic out there that they’re searching for.

I did a one-day blacksmithing class about two years ago, thinking that I would love it and would be good at it – bearing in mind the years of experience I had in working with metal. But I wasn’t good, and I just hated it! It was a lesson though – I didnt consider it a waste of time, just something that I ticked off my list.

Geraldine’s Kingfisher Necklace

Q. Do you have a particular sort of person in mind when designing your pieces?
A. No, never, I only design what I like and from subject matter that inspires and interests me. My perspective is that design needs to have genuine integrity and meaning. If it does then it will speak to a person whether they are a trendy 18-year-old or a middle-aged woman who has spent her life gardening and appreciating birds and animals. The thing about choice in jewellery is that it is hugely personal and private – but at the same time, when the choice is made and the piece is worn, it is right out there for everyone to see. Like me, lots of people love animals and colour; that’s personal, and tells the world that that’s what you love. When someone chooses to wear one of my pieces I think they are consciously or subconsciously making a statement about that.

The only concession that I make when designing is to do with size and comfort. If it is uncomfortable or catches in things then people won’t wear it.

Fabrics by Dermond Peterson, one of Geraldine’s inspirations

Q. What other artists/designers do you admire?
A. There are two American textile designers whose work I love. They are called Dermond Peterson. Incredible use of colour and stencils which I really admire. And Diane Komater from San Francisco, who does wire art. I did a one-day course with her years ago and she is such a nice person as well. As for artists, I love Modigliani, Frida Kahlo, Egon Schiele.

Q. Which are your personal favourite pieces?
A. I think my favourite designs are the Fox and Crow necklace and the wall hanging of the labrador jumping into water.

The Leaping Labrador, one of Geraldine’s own favourite pieces

Q. What is the most difficult part of the process?
A. Designing, without doubt – that’s the really hard part. Although I recently learned to use Adobe Illustrator, which has saved me a huge amount of work. I still do everything with a pencil and paper first but being able to resize it and make small changes without having to redraw it and trace it again is great. It is quite labour-intensive to get the colours right with enamel: it can be very unpredictable. The Kingfisher Necklace for example, I probably did about 15 different colour tests to get that one right. I really love enamelling and I also love cutting out by hand the prototypes from silver or copper and finding that the finished piece really works.

Q. What would you be doing for a living if you weren’t a jeweller?
A. That’s a good question. Hmm, I can’t really imagine. I would probably still be working in animation. It’s really taken off in Ireland in the last 10 years and some Irish animation studios have won Oscars and BAFTAs for their films. Back when I worked in animation as soon as the film was over you were unemployed. Now people have salaried jobs and from what I can see there are films constantly being made.

Q. What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not designing/making?
A. Well, I have gotten into gardening in a big way recently. I’ve started growing vegetables, and I love it! I’m hoping to be nearly self-sufficient in vegetables within a year or two (it could be a bit of a lofty notion but I”ll try). I also love mooching around with my dogs, both rescue lurchers. I spend time socialising with friends and I spend time with my family. But I have to say, when you work for yourself you tend to work all the time in one form or another…it is difficult to pull yourself away.

What would you like to ask your favourite artist? Let us know by posting a comment below or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter. You could see your question appear in our next artist interview!