insideKENT Magazine Issue 35 - February 2015 | Page 20

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT IK'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH Kent design prodigy, Zoe Murphy Loving the place in which we live is something we should all do. Whether it’s the town or the country, the coast or miles inland, it’s important that we not only enjoy wherever we are, but look after it and protect it wherever possible. Designer Zoe Murphy does just that; and she does it through her beautiful work. BY LISAMARIE LAMB called the Strawberry Thief and outside of using the fabric for drawer linings, I went as far as designing an illustrated furniture print based on the Arts and Crafts style, and using the colour that Morris himself had used. Being a company that has always been inspired by William Morris and his values, it was a wonderful opportunity to make work with his in mind. What inspired your unique form of art? My hometown of Margate has always been a muse for the work that I make. Reusing and regenerating something in an upbeat and optimistic way is a reflection on my experience of growing up here. Margate has been a seaside town that was a little down-at-heel, and seeing it turn around and improve with the care and focus of the residents is really inspiring. The process of printing onto furniture came about when I was at university studying printed textile design. I found that I always wanted to explore with materials much more than simply choosing between silk or cotton; I wanted to push the limitations of the processes I was learning. For me, printing on