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