Mark Newman MSDC

Mark Newman is an Irish-born contemporary fine jeweller and educator based in Glasgow. He trained in jewellery, metalwork and silversmithing at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Maynooth University through the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Centre of Excellence in Goldsmithing, and Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery. He later undertook residencies at Glasgow School of Art and Birmingham School of Jewellery and has taught at both the National College of Art and Design and the British Academy of Jewellery.

Aphantasia, the inability to form mental images, has fundamentally shaped Mark’s design process. Rather than beginning with drawings or a preconceived image, he develops rule-based systems which he calls “practical algorithms”. Ratios derived from scale, stone dimensions and structural constraints generate a framework that is developed through CAD, which he uses as an external visual thinking tool.

His work is realised through traditional goldsmithing processes including wire drawing, forming, soldering, laser welding, stone setting and hand finishing. The resulting pieces combine precise geometry with deliberate visual ambiguity. Influenced by Brutalist architecture, scaffolding, circuitry and urban systems, Mark uses jewellery to examine hierarchy, authority and the structures that shape contemporary society.

His Matrix rings reinterpret the historic signet ring, transforming a familiar emblem of status into a series of complex architectural forms. Made in 18ct yellow, white and rose gold with custom-cut gemstones, the work sits between fine jewellery and wearable art. His developing practice is also expanding into silver and larger-scale silversmithing.

Professional practice

2015–present

• Designer-maker, Mark Newman Jewellery

2023–2024

• Visiting Lecturer, Jewellery & Objects, National College of Art and Design, Dublin

2022

• Tutor, British Academy of Jewellery, Birmingham

2021–present

Peer Mentor, Design & Crafts Council Ireland

2021–2022

• Artist in Residence, Birmingham School of Jewellery

2016–2017

Artist in Residence, Glasgow School of Art

Education

2019–2021

• BA, Silversmithing & Jewellery: Design for Industry
• Birmingham City University, School of Jewellery

2017–2019

• Higher National Diploma, Goldsmithing & Jewellery Design
• Maynooth University and Design & Crafts Council Ireland

2011–2015

• Bachelor of Design, Craft Design: Metalwork & Jewellery
• National College of Art and Design, Dublin

Selected exhibitions

2026

• Legnica Jewellery Festival, The Copper Museum, Legnica
• Goldsmiths’ Fair, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London

2025

• Jewellery & Celebration, Tincal Lab, Porto
• LibriBianchi, Lorenzo e Simona Perrone, Milan
• Roma Jewellery Week, Rome
• GCDC Awards Exhibition, Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
• Galerie Door, Nijmegen
• MIDA, Polveriera Pavilion, Florence
• Collect, Somerset House, London
• Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards Showcase, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London

2024

• Collect, Somerset House, London

2023

• Golden Past, Glittering Futures, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny
• Spotlighting, Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
• London Craft Week, Forge Space, London
• Artigianato e Palazzo, Florence
• Rings, Diana Porter Gallery, Bristol
• Queer X Metal, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham

2022

• Goldsmiths’ Fair, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London
• Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards Showcase, London
• For the Love of the Master: 25 Artists Fascinated by Piranesi, Dublin Castle

2021

• Gifted, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin
• InForm, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
• Rising Stars, New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham
• Inspire, Birmingham School of Jewellery

2020

• Resurfacing, Olivier Cornet Gallery, Dublin
• Awards and recognition

2025

• Winner, RDS Craft Awards
• Silver Award, Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards
• Journal des Bijoux Special Prize, Preziosa Young

2024

• Retail Jeweller, 30 Under 30

2023

• Selected for the Michelangelo Foundation Homo Faber Guide
• Spotlighting, Goldsmiths’ Centre

2022

• Goldsmiths’ Fair Graduate Bursary
• DCCI Irish Craft Heroes: Future Light
• Silver Award, Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards

2021

• Shortlisted, DCCI Future Makers Awards
• Winner, William Dudley Trust Bursary

2020

• Winner, RDS Craft Awards
• Winner, William Dudley Trust Bursary

2019

• Shortlisted, Institute of Designers in Ireland Awards
• Winner, Kilkenny Group Bench to Business Bursary
• DCCI Future Makers Professional Development Support Award

Memberships

• Society of Designer Craftsmen
• Design Nation
• Design & Crafts Council Ireland
• Irish Jewellers and Silversmiths Guild
• Guild of Enamellers
• Michelangelo Foundation Homo Faber Guide
• Institute of Designers in Ireland
• Klimt02

Selected press and publications

• The New York Times
• The Irish Times
• Crafts Magazine
• Craft & Design Magazine
• Irish Arts Review
• The Sunday Business Post
• GCN Magazine
• Cara Magazine
• Irish Country Magazine
• Homo Faber Guide
• Irish Craft Heroes
• National Museum of Ireland