Michael Carberry

My aim is to create work that reflects the process of its construction, allowing the surface qualities produced to trace their own development. Hammer and file marks are not removed, so creating a visual reference to illustrate the techniques and physical properties of my work. This intuitive approach to manipulate metal helps to capture a feeling of spontaneity and freshness contained within the resulting artefacts. The pieces look as if they have grown from the metal; they are hammered and forged into strong bold sculptural forms that capture the force and energy involved in the process of making them.

Fused Rings
The initial idea for this series of work was to make a ring without soldering.
I don’t mind soldering, but I was just trying to think of a different approach to making a ring.
I wanted the ring to be whole with no break or weakness, and as a result of the process of construction, the ends when fused form a joint which in turn creates a setting.
The rings have a medieval appearance – almost as if they have been found or just dug up.


Mobius Rings
The idea for this series of rings came when I was mucking about with an elastic band - pulling, stretching and twisting it around my finger.
I then thought it would be fun to see if it was possible to create a ring out of a continuous band of fine silver just like an elastic band. Once I had created the continuous loop, I either wrapped it as one piece, or I broke it before wrapping it and overlapping it, hence the other name of ‘wrap and overlap’ for this series of rings.

Education and Qualifications

2002 – 2003 Institute of Education
P.G.C.E. Art and Design (part–time)

1994 – 1996 Royal College of Art
M.A. Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery

1989 – 1993 London Guildhall University
B.A. (Hons.) Jewellery, Silversmithing, and Allied Crafts: 1st Class

1987 – 1989 Blackburn College of Art and Design
Foundation Art course: Distinction


Awards

2007 Muir Trust Jeweller in Residence
Buckinghamshire County Museum

2001 Selected Makers List: Crafts Council

2001 Nominated for the Arts Foundation Award

1999 Member of Contemporary Applied Arts

1998 Crafts Council: Setting up grant


Exhibitions include

2008 Origin
Somerset House

2007 Residency Exhibition
Buckinghamshire County Museum

2005 New Jewellers
Blackwell Arts and Crafts Gallery
Windermere, Cumbria

2004 200 Rings
Velvet da Vinci
San Francisco

2004 Chelsea Crafts Fair
Chelsea Town Hall

2004 Bristol City Museum
Unlimited

2003 Studio Marijke, Padua
Contemporary Jewellery

2003 Crafts Council at the V& A
Exhibition about Rings

2002 Electrum Gallery, London
Metal and Method

2001 Crafts Council Shop at the V& A
Ice
2001 Contemporary Applied Arts, London
New Member

2000 Chelsea Crafts Fair, London

2000 Lynne Strover Gallery, Cambridge
Mixed Show with Breon O` Casey, Jim Partridge
1999 Chelsea Crafts Fair, London

1999 Gallery D`Or, Oldenberg, Germany
Cotemporary British Jewellery

1999 Inhorgenta, Munich, Germany
British Jewellery

1998 The Ruthin Crafts Centre, Clwyd
National Resources (touring exhibition with catalogue)

1996 Gallery Marzee, Holland
Selected graduates from European Art Schools