Claire Mooney
Silversmith
Newry, Ireland
Stories spun from metal
- Claire is one of the last Irish makers trained in silver spinning
- She creates pieces imbued with deep Irish cultural meaning
- She works in collaboration with other artists and exhibits her works in the UK and Ireland
Growing up in rural Ireland, the unique culture and community shaped Claire Mooney’s approach to silversmithing. Her jewellery and sculptural works explore how objects can hold community stories, inspired by historical metal collections. "It is mystifying to me how certain ancient objects were made given the limitations that artisans had,” she explains. Claire's chosen technique is silversmithing with a focus on spinning, an endangered craft in Ireland. Since graduating from Belfast School of Art in 2018, she has trained with Warren Martin through Heritage Crafts UK and then studied under Seamus Gill with the support of the Homo Faber Fellowship programme in 2024.
Discover her work
INTERVIEW
Spinning is a technique that turns a flat disc of silver into a three-dimensional form. Using a lathe and hand tools, I shape the metal without removing material. The process resembles wood turning, but behaves more like bending or sculpting clay on a potter's wheel.
Recently, I trained alongside Seamus Gill who specialises in traditional hammer work and anticlastic raising. Learning to craft beyond a symmetrical axis expanded my creative process and opened new design possibilities.
I often find inspiration in folklore and poetry about Ireland. I view my vessels as metaphors for people, holding ideas and stories within them. Through my objects, I aim to convey and preserve the richness of our culture.
Holding a master's degree in museum studies, I believe community engagement is key to preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage. I taught a group of people at the Ulster museum to make traditional penannual cloak pins. Watching participants connect with historical techniques usnig their hands was very rewarding.
Claire Mooney
Silversmith
Newry, Ireland
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Newry, Ireland
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
LANGUAGES
English
Homo Faber Finds is a new service aiming to inspire admirers of craft to connect and collaborate with exceptional artisans.
We invite you to submit an enquiry here.
