Meg Murtagh

Process is at the forefront of the work I create. Having dedicated many years aquiring advanced training from Masters of Craft in the fields of Metals and Clay, my work is not merely a collection of final works as an artist, but a record of my dedication and committment as a student of Craft. The act of creating is not merely a means to an ends but an opportunity to be immersed in the moment; gaining new skills and insights along the way. During this process, I am striving to better understand the material; it's capabilities, as well as it’s limitations. I am forever connected to the work through this give-and-take experience which is deeply rooted in presence and an openess to possibilities.

I am captivated by the idea of preserving the evidence of process, the tools and the maker’s hand in the work's final state. These marks are intentionally left on the surface as a record of the act of making; the maker, and the inherently imperfect and impermanent nature of them both. I am guided by a curiosity for cause and effect, time and change, and the "imprint" of the past, however recent.

The process of raising metal hollowware and throwing clay on the wheel are intrinsically linked through the slow, steady manipulation of material through mindful cycles of development. The slow realization of form is achieved through an intuitive and adept dialogue between the artist’s hand and the material. During this flow state, a delicate balance is achieved.

It is in the humble quality of the everyday artifact that I find comfort. Through regular use it remains relevant well beyond it's conception even gaining a history with its owner; in turn establishing an intimate connection between the maker and user. These objects become a part of the user's daily routine through the ritual of everyday use. The functional objects I create are intended to be practical, uncomplicated, with simple and honest appeal. Striking a balance between beauty and imperfection, these works and wares are intuitively crafted, enduring and timeless.