Close up image of gold leaf being applied to an orange section of the hand-printed infinity loop

Making a flowing Infinity Loop

by with No Comment Behind the ScenesNew Work

For the Flow exhibition at Brixton Library, I decided to create a new site-specific installation piece, linked to my series of Fragile Structures. I developed a small scale test infinity loop, or Mobius Strip, to explore the idea of an infinitely fragile looped work, with cut out sections, handprinted on both sides of fine Japanese paper. I wanted to take advantage of the interaction of both sides in the sunlight of the large bright gallery space in Brixton.

‘Infinitely Fragile’ by Carolyn Murphy, an installation view

Previous works in the series have been self-supporting sculptural pieces, such as Towers of Strength, laser cut monotype structures. With this work I wanted to return to the monotype process I used in my Fragile Structure series of 2D prints, but taking this to a different scale and form.

Towers of Strength, by Carolyn Murphy

This post gives some background and process images. And flags some of the challenges too.

I decided to make the work in two sections. Taking on board the idea of infinity, I chose to transition each side of the paper from blue to orange and match the patterns at the two joins. For ease of transport, I only joined the loop on site in Brixton. I used Japanese rice paste as this can be unstuck with water, allowing for de-installation.

Printing the Japanese paper

I learnt a lot in the making, including the following:

  • My small scale maquette was one eighth the width, which turned out to be 61 times smaller in area! Maths…
  • Japanese paper loves to crease – I decided to embrace this by adding gold leaf, that had been donated to me by a friend, referencing the Japanese art of ‘kintsugi’.
  • The monotype stencil process I used requires a degree of ‘going with the flow’, which seemed appropriate tothe them of the show. You are never 100% sure of the outcome, although you can move it in the direction you want.
  • Follow my instincts to do something different – and, as usual, far more complicated than I set out to create!
  • The many ways of displaying a fragile work, in a busy well-used space.

Overall, I was delighted with the outcome and will continue to develop works in this Fragile Structures series.

Adding gold leaf

Blue poster for 'Flow' exhibition

Brixton Library ‘Flow’ exhibition opens

by with No Comment ExhibitionNews

Fankle Art Collective opens its fifth show this month. Fankle member Carolyn Murphy will be exhibiting 2D and 3D works as part of this multi-disciplinary exhibition. Images included here from the private view.

Carolyn Murphy with her works

Flow is a group exhibition by ten artists, working across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, collage, photography, and film and video. Interpreted by each artist in their own way, Flow suggests motion – where materials, energy, relationships and creative ideas come together and move forward. Fankle artists bring together works that jostle in the stream of the library’s gallery space, sometimes seeking the stillness of the ‘flow state’ itself.

We are reminded that a world of life is woven from strands, flowing, changing and fragile, as Fankle Art Collective members explore evolving ideas around identity and relationships with nature or home, notions of belonging, migration, fragmentation and reconnection.

‘A Scream of Swifts’ by Carolyn Murphy

Carolyn Murphy created two works specifically for the Brixton Library space: ‘Infinitely Fragile’ a 3D print installation, in the form of a Möbius strip, or infinity loop, and ‘A Scream of Swifts’, across all three windows of the Library’s gallery space.

Private View of ‘Flow’

Fankle is a multidisciplinary art collective formed in 2023. The name ‘Fankle’, a Scottish word for entanglement, reflects the complex web of ideas they draw together, as well as the varied generational and geographic origins of Fankle members.

Fankle members and visitors to Flow

Artists exhibiting in Flow: Natalie Dee | Phil Dunn | Freddy McBride | Carolyn Murphy | Moritz Nicolai | Iliana Ortega-Alcázar | Jan Pimblett | Kathy Rooney | Luke Anthony Rooney | Hanan Shakir

For more information, check out www.fankle.art and @fankle.art on Instagram.

This exhibition runs from 3 – 22 June 2026 at Brixton Tate Library, Brixton Oval, London SW2 1JQ

Opening times vary daily: Mondays 1pm – 8pm, Tuesdays 10am – 8pm, Wednesdays 10am – 6pm, Thursdays 10am – 8pm, Fridays 10am – 6pm, Saturdays 9am – 5pm, Sundays 12pm – 5pm.

The Library is close to Brixton underground station (Victoria line).

Image of artist Carolyn Murphy with her work

Printmakers Council show in Oxford

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Carolyn Murphy presented a new work at the Printmakers Council’s ‘Green and Pleasant Land’ exhibition at Oxford’s North Wall Art Centre. The show brings together selected landscape inspired work from around 70 members, working across a wide range of print media. The exhibitions runs from May 30 to June 13.

Carolyn Murphy with her work
Private View at North Wall Arts Centre

‘Deep Roots’ is a combined collagraph and linocut print, drawing on the post-industrial Pennine landscape, near Manchester. “In this work I wanted to explore the idea of land as Mother Earth – its exploitation, destruction and resilience. Beautiful areas of the Pennines around Manchester are former industrial sites, where mining ravaged the landscape and people. This semi-abstracted work brings together real landscapes and ideas of land and belonging,” explained Carolyn.

‘Deep Roots’ by Carolyn Murphy

Some images here are from exhibition opening which took place on Saturday May 30 and was very well attended.

North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN.

Artist Carolyn Murphy with her linocut and collaged work at the pop-up exhibition in Radcliffe

A Radcliffe inspired print

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Artist Carolyn Murphy showed a Radcliffe inspired print at a new pop-up exhibition in the Market Hall, that opened this weekend. The work, called Red Cliff, incorporates linocut and collage. It references the industries that Radcliffe was built on, such as coal, paper, bleach and cotton, as well as features of the town centre and its heritage. ‘Connect, Believe and Change’ are ideas captured within the Market Hall itself, linked to the recent regeneration of this area of Greater Manchester.

The work is part of the ‘Spirit of Radcliffe’ exhibition organised by Two Crows, a studio in nearby Bury. The exhibition is a response to several Spirit of a Place walks and events led by artists Lee Crocker and Andy Marshall. They use storylines created to reference the town’s wonderful architecture and landscapes of the every day to tell stories and inspire creativity. These draw on Songlines, part of ancient Aboriginal culture.

Carolyn visited Radcliffe back in the summer of 2022 and explored local locations captured on the Songlines. “I chose to include the map within this work, because it was clear that the location – on the River Irwell and (a now disused section of) the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal – was so influential on the spirit of the place. I incorporated the Market Hall’s profile and the gable of the Bridge Tavern, which, at the time I visited, had wonderful exposed mosaic signage for Dutton’s Blackburn Ales.”

The pop-up exhibition is expected to continues until May in Radcliffe Market Hall.

AA2A Artist Residency

by with No Comment Thoughts

For the full academic year of 2024/25, I was an AA2A resident artist at the University of Chester. It was a fantastic experience and one I thought I’d share a bit more about, in case you’re tempted to get involved in the scheme another year.

Background

AA2A is coming up for its 30 year anniversary. It supports artist development in partnership with FE and HE educational institutions across the UK. The University of Chester has taken part for 11 years and last year I was selected as one of six resident artists on their Kingsway campus, a hub for the university’s creative programmes and home to the printmaking and workshop facilities I was able to access.

The Kingsway Campus

How does the scheme work

Broadly speaking, this is a fantastic scheme based on exchange. Artists gain access to facilities and expertise for 100 hours over the academic year, and, in return, they may be asked to give a talk or demonstration, or show their work, as they take an active part on campus. Universities gain practising artists on site, adding value through interaction with the students they work alongside. This is all supported by AA2A webinars and events to enhance employability for arts students.

Artists apply and are selected based on their project proposal and portfolio.

My own experience

I’m sure every residency is different, as each institution will bring its own culture and approach. I found a very welcoming and supportive environment at Chester.

Working on structures at Chester

I proposed a project to develop the installation side of my printmaking practice, by integrating digital processes, like laser cutting. Through the university I was able to access laser cutting facilities, the print room and the software I needed to learn to bring things together. I started in October 2024 and completed my project in July 2025. Along the way:

  • I met some great people: university technical staff, other artists, students…
  • I took part in 2 exhibitions: one to introduce my work at the beginning and another to showcase my project work at the end
  • I created new laser cut work, which I have exhibited so far at the OXO Gallery in London with the Printmakers Council
‘Towers of Strength’, monotype and laser cutting, by Carolyn Murphy
‘In the Balance’, monotype and laser cut paper structures by Carolyn Murphy

Find out more

To learn more about AA2A and their residencies, check out their website. I would highly recommend the programme and its partners. Thanks for a wonderful year!

To see more from our final group exhibition in Chester, check out my News page on ‘Threads of Expression’.

20:20 Print Exchange

by with No Comment Behind the Scenes

Each year I take part in the 20:20 Print Exchange, organised by Hot Bed Press. I started in 2011 – and became hooked. This year I created a linocut with added blind embossing. Here’s a little bit of behind the scenes on my 2025 edition and my box.

Firstly, the 20:20 print exchange concept is simple: each printmaker creates an edition of 25 original prints, on paper that’s 20cm by 20cm. Printmakers submit work through their print workshop, and in exchange receive a randomly selected box of 20 prints from other participating printmakers. I love the sense of community, as around 50 UK and international print workshops take part. In fact, this year 744 artists took part from studios as far afield as Canada and the USA.

I tend to see my 20:20 print as an opportunity to experiment as well as extra practice at editioning.

The lino plate

This year, for the first time, I designed a linocut plate and an emboss plate to work together. It was experimental and I learnt a lot. Some things went well, others were more challenging, but that’s often the way when you try something new!

My idea was to create an abstracted ‘landscape’ and play with the sense of space and depth.
I kept the linocut simple and had sleek lines, and the plate and paper slightly bigger, so I could cut it down to 20 cm square. I chose Fabriano Unica paper, which I tested first, as I wanted a paper that would work fine dry with the lino layer and wet for the emboss.

Things that went well

I was happy with lots of elements:

  • the consistency of the lino layer
  • the gradation worked well too
  • I liked the ambiguity of the spaces
  • and the austerity of the design.

What did I learn?

Paper expands and contracts when wet – and does so differently depending on the direction of the grain. This caused a few issues with trimming down, but luckily didn’t spoil too many. I hadn’t spotted when cutting my paper that I did not have all the paper grain going the same way. I learnt that paper expands differently with and against the grain… I’ll know next time to check.

The outcome

I sent off an edition of 25 prints, which I called ‘Echoes’ in October. And I just received a fantastic box – including works from Germany and Russia. Take a look!

My 2025 box of fabulous prints!

Image of the poster for OUT printmaking exhibition

Showing at ‘OUT: St Leonards’ this January

by with No Comment ExhibitionNews

Carolyn Murphy will be showing work at ‘OUT: St Leonards’, this January along with 28 other selected printmakers. This printmaking exhibition is curated by Matty Emery. The theme of the show, ‘the outside’ is a metaphor for its one defining rule – no works will be framed. Every artwork will hold its own space outside the traditional print frame.

Image of the poster for the OUT: St Leonards exhibition
Poster for OUT: St Leonards
Graphic listing the 29 artists taking part in OUT exhibition
Participating artists in OUT: St Leonards

“OUT is a group show consisting of 29 artists whose practices push printmaking in different directions and whose work challenges the conventions of contemporary print. This exhibition responds to the increasing sameness of many print shows and proposes an alternative vision of what printmaking can be when freed from constraints”, explains Matty Emery.

Image of precariously stacked rock-like paper structures, created by artist Carolyn Murphy
Carolyn Murphy’s work ‘No Stone Unturned’

Carolyn will be showing ‘No Stone Unturned’, 3D paper structures, precariously stacked. “They suggest age, human input and solidity – but are simply hand printed paper, folded with no glue. I’m delighted to be showing the work at OUT, alongside so many great printmakers”, said Carolyn. She began making the monotype structures in 2022, to extend a large print installation work out onto the gallery floor.  Slowly her collection of these ‘rock’ sculptures has grown to over 100 in 7 designs.

The exhibition runs from 24 January to 1 February 2026 at Unit 2 Gallery, 8-10 London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6AE. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday. Opening times vary:

  • Saturday 24 January, 10am – 6pm
  • Sunday 25 January, 10am – 6pm
  • Thursday 29 January, 11am – 4pm
  • Friday 30 January, 11am – 6pm
  • Saturday 31 January, 10am – 6pm
  • Sunday 1 February, 10am – 6pm

The official opening is on Saturday 24 January, 2 – 6pm.

Artist printmaker Carolyn Murphy with her work in the Lake Gallery, West Kirby

Celebrating the end of the year with 2 Opens

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Carolyn Murphy is celebrating the end of 2025 with work in two Open exhibitions in the North West: ‘Bury Open’ and ‘Open 2025’ at the Lake Gallery in West Kirby. She was able to make the private view on the Wirral and visited the Bury Art Museum on another occasion to appreciate the show.

Carolyn with her work at the Wirral opening

Work in both exhibitions is for sale and both Opens continue into the New Year, so there is still plenty of time to see selected work across a wide range of media.

It was busy at the Lake Gallery PV

Open 2025 at the Lake Gallery, West Kirby, show is open Thursdays to Saturdays 10am to 4pm until 24 January 2026.

Carolyn with her work at the Bury Open 2025

Bury Open runs at Bury Art Museum, open Tuesdays to Saturdays, until 21 February 2026.

Bury Art Museum is a stunning setting
Poster for Festival of Print

Festival of Print in East London

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East London Printmaker’s Festival of Print is coming soon – and Carolyn Murphy will be showcasing new work from a series of monotypes called Fragile structures. This is Carolyn’s second time in the Festival, as an Associate Member, and FOP2025 will be at the Mile End Art Pavilion from 21 November to 30 November.

The Festival of Print is East London Printmakers’ annual exhibition – the highpoint of the creative year. FOP2025 celebrates the wide range of contemporary printmaking produced in the studio as well as the wealth of skill and talent at ELP, showcasing the work of established artists and emerging creatives. The Festival of Print offers visitors the rare opportunity to see and acquire original prints from around 100 participating artists. The Festival also highlights ELP’s values of community and cooperation, demonstrating the studio’s excellent facilities for printmaking using woodblock, screenprint, etching and lino. The Festival of Print will also launch this year’s limited-edition Box Set, a collection of 30x30cm prints for sale individually and as a set.

Venue: The Art Pavilion, Clinton Rd, London E3 4QY

Opening hours: 11-00am to 6-00pm (except Sunday 30th November at 4-00pm)

Late night evening with panel discussion: Friday 28th November at 6-00pm

Find out more: exhibition@eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk

http://www.eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk

Poster for Intersect exhibition

Intersect exhibition with Fankle Collective

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Carolyn Murphy will be part of the Intersect exhibition with Fankle Art Collective in Stratford, East London from 30 October to 21 November. Intersect brings together ten artists, who work across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, collage, photography, and film and video.  Carolyn will be presenting a large format print installation A Scream of Swifts as well as a new series of composite prints.

Poster design showing information on the Fankle Art Collective's Intersect exhibition

‘To meet and cross at a point’ is to intersect and this is Fankle’s fourth exhibition together, the fourth exploration of interconnecting ideas at a single point in place and time. Diverse ideas jostle within the space of the Stratford Unitarian Gallery, connecting and seeking out common ground.

As the Fankle Collective members make, remake, transform and deconstruct, for the brief period of the show, works overlap and interplay. Narratives that explore identity and relationships with nature or home, and notions of belonging and migration intersect with concepts of fragmentation and reconnection. We are reminded that a world of life is woven from strands, overlapping, contrasting, changing and fragile. Intersect celebrates those shared connections.

Image of blue linocut swifts hand printed on tissue paper, a detail from a work by Carolyn Murphy
‘A Scream of Swifts’ (detail), a linocut and laser cut print installation by artist Carolyn Murphy.

Fankle is a multidisciplinary art collective formed in 2023 by emerging artists from the Middlesex University MA Fine Art and MA Printmaking programmes. The name ‘Fankle’, a Scottish word for entanglement, reflects the complex web of ideas they draw together, as well as the varied generational and geographic origins of Fankle members, with threads extending from London to Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berlin, Munich, Baghdad, Tehran and Mexico City.

Artists exhibiting in Intersect: Natalie Dee | Phil Dunn | Angela Forrester | Freddy McBride | Carolyn Murphy | Iliana Ortega-Alcázar | Jan Pimblett | Hanan Tawfiq | Kathy Rooney | Luke Anthony Rooney

For more information, check out www.fankle.art and @fankle.art on Instagram.

Open: Thursdays to Saturdays, 2pm – 6pm

Meet the Artists events: Saturday 8 November and Saturday 15 November, 2pm – 4pm

Stratford Unitarian Gallery, Stratford Unitarian, West Ham Lane, Stratford, London E15 4PH

www.stratfordunitariangallery.co.uk

The gallery is close to Stratford station (Central line, Jubilee line, DLR and Overground).