Hillsborough crafter wins top prizes at prestigious RDS competition

Cara Murphy (right) received the California Gold Medal worth €7,000 as well as the first prize winner in the Gold, Silver and Alternative Materials Category for her entry entitled Disperse. This large table centrepiece, which sits elegantly elevated from the table by fine naturalistic wires with seed head like terminals, combines function and form, and brings a fresh approach to silver for the table. The inherent reflective qualities of silver are used to great effect, where the hammer worked surface reflects the vivid colours of fruit or flowers placed on it. The light, spontaneous quality of this piece has an entirely contemporary appeal. Cara is a much respected and successful silversmith based in Northern Ireland.

Together with the winners of the 20 categories and the special prizes sponsored by Irish Crafts Guilds and Associations, the prize-winning and highly commended works will be on show in the RDS Concert Hall today (Friday) offering the public an opportunity to see the exhibition free of charge.

In the Multimedia Textiles Category, first prize went to previous RDS Award Winner, Michelle Stephens from Moira, for her work entitled Basket Weave. Michelle work explores the dialogue surrounding the textiles process of weave. Her piece is an excellent example of the combination of hand woven techniques alongside laser cutting processes.