About

Kathleen Murphy is a maker who specialises in constructing with needle and thread.

Working predominantly with a single needle as her tool, Kathleen uses it to draw, embellish and construct with. By combining handstitch with found objects and repurposed materials, she creates pieces which can be identified by their strong sense of narrative and her use of colour and texture. These pieces are inspired by folk culture and a fascination with the wooded landscape, curious about its ability to both soothe and to unsettle.

Within Kathleen's workspace there is a portal to another place - a vast wooded landscape called Skyruda Binrog. Here, ably assisted by two characters, Murgatroyd, an owl and Bean, a hare, the trio are guardians to the landscape's stories and myths. It is a colourful, 3D, boldly embroidered world populated by shy woodland dwellers, dark spirits and oversized leaves. 

In addition to Kathleen's making practice, she also teaches and regularly contributes to the creative programme at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester. Kathleen is the curator of an artist challenge project called A Group Gathering and can often be found working collaboratively with other makers and theatre companies.  

MA in Contemporary Craft Hereford College of Art 2018
City & Guilds Design Craft: Stitched Textiles Malvern College of Art 2010