Jessica Murtagh

Jessica Murtagh

  • Biography

    Jessica Murtagh

    Jessica Murtagh is an Adelaide based early career artist working with blown glass. With a Master’s in Design (Contemporary Art) from the University of South Australia, her practice is currently based out of JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design. Jessica’s arts practice leans heavily on illustration, using sandcarving and engraving techniques to create imagery and narratives on glass. Her work is predominantly in the form of vessels, which are both functional and sculptural, ranging from vibrant and dramatic to subdued. She draws inspiration from both the natural world and classical artefacts, contrasted with contemporary themes.
    A lifelong love of botany sees much of Murtagh’s work inspired by the natural world. Her botanical work endeavours to capture the beauty of nature within the luminous surface of hand crafted blown glass. Jessica’s narrative work is inspired by antiquities from past societies such as the ancient Athenians. These artefacts made of stone, ceramic, metal and glass give glimpses into the stories of their lives, from godly deeds to tableaus depicting everyday moments. Illustrations of the common, mundane scenes of ordinary people are of particular influence on Murtagh’s body of work and a fascination with history and ancient relics has led to exploration of what future artefacts could be, and to question what our contemporary culture will one day leave behind.
    She has exhibited in numerous prizes and exhibitions around Australia including at the National Gallery of Victoria for the 2023 Triennial and was recently awarded the second prize in the inaugural Make Award. Jessica’s work is held in a number of private collections, and was recently collected by the Geelong Gallery, the Powerhouse Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria.


    Jessica Murtagh
    Biography

    Jessica Murtagh is an Adelaide based early career artist working with blown glass. With a Master’s in Design (Contemporary Art) from the University of South Australia, her practice is currently based out of JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design. Jessica’s arts practice leans heavily on illustration, using sandcarving and engraving techniques to create imagery and narratives on glass. Her work is predominantly in the form of vessels, which are both functional and sculptural, ranging from vibrant and dramatic to subdued. She draws inspiration from both the natural world and classical artefacts, contrasted with contemporary themes.
    A lifelong love of botany sees much of Murtagh’s work inspired by the natural world. Her botanical work endeavours to capture the beauty of nature within the luminous surface of hand crafted blown glass. Jessica’s narrative work is inspired by antiquities from past societies such as the ancient Athenians. These artefacts made of stone, ceramic, metal and glass give glimpses into the stories of their lives, from godly deeds to tableaus depicting everyday moments. Illustrations of the common, mundane scenes of ordinary people are of particular influence on Murtagh’s body of work and a fascination with history and ancient relics has led to exploration of what future artefacts could be, and to question what our contemporary culture will one day leave behind.
    She has exhibited in numerous prizes and exhibitions around Australia including at the National Gallery of Victoria for the 2023 Triennial and was recently awarded the second prize in the inaugural Make Award. Jessica’s work is held in a number of private collections, and was recently collected by the Geelong Gallery, the Powerhouse Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria.

  • Website

    https://jessicamurtagh.com.au/

Showing 1–12 of 17 artworks

Jessica Murtagh

Golden Wattle
42 x 19 x 6 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Sweet pea ( Gold and rose)
21 x 22 x 6 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Sweet pea (Copper and rose)
30 x 19 x 6 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved $2,200.00

Jessica Murtagh

Sweet pea (Lilac and ultramarine)
38 x 13 x 13 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved $2,400.00

Jessica Murtagh

Golden Gingko
20 x 21 x 21 cm Blown glass, 24k gold leaf. Sandblasted and engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Spring Green Ginko
24 x 24 x 24 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Lovestone Ivy sphere
24 x 24 x 24 cm Blown glass, nano-coated Japanese silver. Sandblasted and engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Small relic - copper blue
25 x 13 x 13 cm Blown Glass Amphora,Sandblasted and Engraved Sold

Jessica Murtagh

Small relic - sari blue
23 x 13 x 13 cm Blown Glass Amphora,Sandblasted and Engraved $1,300.00

Jessica Murtagh

Small relic - lagoon blue
20 x 11 x 11 cm Blown Glass Amphora,Sandblasted and Engraved $1,200.00

Jessica Murtagh

Supermarket queues of the past
34 x 19 x 19 cm Blown Glass Amphora,Sandblasted and Engraved $2,990.00

Jessica Murtagh

Burning the candle at both ends
34 x 20 x 20 cm Blown Glass Amphora,Sandblasted and Engraved Sold