Spotlight On: Sarah Murdoch
Spotlight On: Sarah Murdoch
Sarah Murdoch is a silversmith and enamellist and a recent graduate of The Glasgow School of Art. Working intuitively, Sarah forms straight into metal using asymmetric raising to create curved, organic shapes based on her drawings. Her use of enamel is translated using the technique, sgraffito—where the enamel is left to dry, and pattern and illustration are scratched on the surface before firing. Consideration of colour is the fundamental groundwork of her collection. She uses bold and vibrant shades of enamel to express both hope and empowerment to a community of people who have suffered from feelings of displacement in the past. Sarah’s work was featured in our 2020 Graduate Showcase at Elements. We caught up with Sarah to learn more about her work and career in her first year since graduation.
Art and design has always been my strength and something that I enjoy, ultimately leading me to pursue a creative subject in further education.
I originally studied Architecture and enjoyed the creative process. I specifically enjoyed model making and and the detail that went into making scaled models, however this was a very small part of the course. I decided to move into another field where I could work with my hands more regularly and explore different materials.
Attending The Glasgow School of Art’s Portfolio Preparation course, I spent a lot of time considering material and began the exploration into more 3D work. I had the opportunity the visit the Silversmithing and Jewellery department and absolutely fell in love with the space and the work they produced. I knew then that was the direction I wanted to follow.
Why did you decide to follow this career path?
Throughout my study I didn’t think too much about a career path, I focused on learning the skills and just enjoyed my time exploring lots of techniques.
The summer prior to my final year, I was an intern in a silversmithing studio in Aberdeenshire, Vanilla Ink The Smiddy. I spent three months working with their main Silversmith, Megan Falconer, assisting with commissions and teaching classes for beginners jewellery and silversmithing. I also had the opportunity to develop my own work and I began to explore in more detail the processes which I use today.
Can you tell us what you are doing in your career right now and what you are currently working on?
I am graduate member of the Contemporary British Silversmiths and have recently taken part in their Skills Training programme. Due to restrictions, they were held virtually and I have been working from my space at home.
The first course I did was five days of tray sinking with Angus McFaden and Rauni Higson. We were sent out all the tools and materials needed and had the Zoom call set up for the whole day.
This was great as the group could go back and forth for tutorials, or if we had any questions as individuals while making.
The next course was Cold Forging with Howard Fenn. The group had the opportunity to forge two silver spoons and it was a similar set up working virtually from our home studios.
Where do you draw your inspiration from in your work?
My work focuses on using traditional silversmithing techniques, that are driven by concepts placed upon society.
My recent collection stemmed from focusing on objectification of the female form, looking into body dysmorphia and the mental consequences it has on individuals. I began using the life drawing to study the anatomy. Drawing expressively and experimenting with a wide variety of media, enabling me to capture all the core elements that make up the body, and how the body has the power to strongly project a mood.
How would you describe your design style?
I think I have quite a bold style, and have fun through the use of colour. I like to tell a story through illustration and pattern on my vessels, spending a lot of time planning the surface with the specific technique I use. Drawing and painting is a big part of my design process where I can play around with various combinations, test them out and visualise different outcomes for finished pieces.
Tell us about your practice and methods you have developed in your work.
Through my work as a silversmith I am fascinated by the ever-increasing range of experimental approaches to traditional processes. I am a maker at heart and have passion for the materials I work with. I use multiple techniques for my vessels including raising, chasing, repoussé, snarling, soldering and enamel.
The enamel process I use is quite different as I use an industrial wet mixture that I pour over my vessels like a slip and then fire. I enjoy experimenting with different colour combinations but I keep meticulous records of the firing temperatures and timings, while I work.
To create the illustrative patterns on my work I use the technique of sgraffito, where I let the enamel dry out, then draw my patterns, before firing. I work on multiple sample tiles before moving onto the final piece - carefully scratching in the detail of the patterns.
What is next for you this year?
I’ve been selected to take part in the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s new initiative Getting Started: Stars in the Making 2021-22, putting jewellery and silversmithing talent in the spotlight and championing early career makers.
As a spot lit ‘Star in the Making’, I’ll be taking part in an online Meet the Maker event, where I’ll be discussing my practice and inspirations, and be featured for one week on the Centre’s Instagram channel. I will also receive further business skills training, helping me to build my confidence and best present my work in person and online.
If you would like to attend the free online event, you can book tickets from the link below!
https://www.goldsmiths-centre.org/whats-on/whats-on-getting-started-stars-making/
You can see more of Sarah’s work on Instagram @smurdo.ch.