Vincent Murdoch
he/they
Lynn, Massachusetts, USA
Vincent Murdoch is a queer artist from Lynn, MA and is currently a 2026 BFA candidate at Massachusetts College of Art and Design studying jewelry and metalsmithing. Their work is rooted in aesthetics and history of the mid century in conversation with self portraiture and expression. Vincent primarily focuses on processes in metal fabrication, mixed media experimentation, and powder coating as much as possible.
“I focus my jewelry on the creation of magic, fun and entertainment. Magic has always been a key element in my life and practice. From inspiration to motivation, there is always a spot in my life to do something a little less serious sometimes. I believe that at its core, my jewelry is meant to be a form of entertainment for the wearer, just something fun. Whether that be from creating humorous pieces, or more abstract, serious ones; creating a space where those traits can be brought into conversation is what I strive to achieve.”
How does your work relate to the theme of flourish(ing)?
“With the creation of the Space Sisters, I have allowed myself to create pieces related to my own experiences of sisterhood and growing up as a girl. As a trans artist, I find myself constantly avoiding conversations about girlhood despite the fact that it has made up over half of my lived experience. I became very conflicted on how I should go about having work share my story without feeling like it was suddenly a taboo subject and feeling like I had somehow betrayed my identity, but it felt wrong to just ignore it. Suddenly, I needed a way to tell a story where I was not the main character, and eventually the Space Sisters were created. They have become a way for me to discuss topics of femininity without directly putting myself into the narrative. The girls allowed me to suddenly reflect on why I had felt so avoidant and why it felt important for me to no longer be afraid of creating pieces that discuss something that I no longer identify with but can still share experiences with others. To avoid something is to be a coward towards it, and I do not wish to cower from who I am and what I have lived through."
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Francely Flores
"HELL BENT", "Champlevé enamel on oxidized copper, brass findings, silver rivets, 4.5” x 3.5”, 2024"How does your creative practice allow you to flourish (grow, thrive, blossom)?
“In my creative process, I thrive the most in research, experimentation, and storytelling. I have always been the person who finds a topic and suddenly has to learn everything about it, no matter how little information there seems to be available. In my practice, I find myself giving a voice to experiences or histories that normally would not have one, and suddenly I become a messenger of information that I can create with. I am always open to using alternative materials in my work, from glass to plastic, there is very little that I will not try at least once. If I find a new method that I am excited about I continue trying new things with it over and over, even if I cannot get the results I want. Mistake is not a word in my dictionary either, everything I do is a result of me learning and trying. I rely on creating elaborate backstories and narrations for pieces I make as an outlet to express myself in a way that I am comfortable with. When I create I truly feel like my most authentic self. I no longer feel pressure from an outside world when I am in my making mindset, it becomes just a conversation between myself and my project.”
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Francely Flores
As a queer+ artist, what would you like to see and/or what do you need in order to flourish during this time?
“This was my breakthrough moment of learning to powder coat my jewelry. I had spent the week learning various techniques in powder coat and fell in love with using stencils. These were created using hand cut templates and sifting on the powder in many layers.”
“As a queer artist, I think the most important thing needed to flourish in this time is understanding and support. Without understanding, a community can become so divided and suddenly there is no community. I think that oftentimes we put pressure on ourselves and others to perform to the highest standards when that is not always possible for every circumstance. However, if we allow ourselves to be open to talking about successes and struggles we can bring empathy and understanding to one another, and with that comes support. If we really take the time to learn and grow with our fellow community members, I believe that we can grow stronger and understand that we are a collective of individuals with our own hurdles, but by supporting one another, they can be conquered. ”
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Simon Leung
[queerphoria]v4 @ ECU Symposium
