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