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

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.

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(re)FLEX exhibition

by with No Comment Exhibition

Carolyn Murphy will be part of the (re)FLEX exhibition, with other Middlesex University MA Fine Art and Fine Art Printmaking students, this Easter. It’s the first time this group of emerging artists has exhibited together. The group will show new and experimental work at Filet gallery, in Hoxton, London.

The exhibition opens on Thursday 14 April 2022. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate this contemporary and playful new show with artists at different stages of their practice.

(re)FLEX exhibition at Filet

“For Fine Art staff and students at Middlesex University, public exhibition is an essential part of art practice, and this exciting show is an engaging snapshot of the diverse and dynamic range of practices currently being explored by the emerging contemporary artists undertaking postgraduate study on the Middlesex Fine Art programmes”, said John Timberlake, Programme Leader for MA Fine Art and MA Fine Art Printmaking.

Carolyn will be showing two new pieces of work – both monotypes, inspired by the poet Imtiaz Dharker’s poem ‘Tissue’.

(re)FLEX is open 11.00 until 17.00 from 14 April to 19 April 2022 (inclusive) at Filet, 103 Murray Grove, Hoxton, London N1 7QP.