Jessica Murtagh is a member of the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory
Jessica Murtagh is a South Australian glass artist whose practice combines traditional glassblowing with illustration. She uses a modern take on the ancient style of glass carving called cameo glass, employing illustration software and industrial sand carving processes to engrave glass. She holds a Master of Design (Contemporary Art) from the University of South Australia. Working primarily with blown glass, Jessica uses sand carving and engraving to create intricate imagery and layered narratives on vessel forms that range from sculptural to functional.
She has exhibited widely across Australia and internationally, including presentations in Milan, Italy, and Auckland, New Zealand. Her work has featured in major exhibitions and prizes such as the 2023 NGV Triennial, and she was awarded Second Prize in the inaugural Make Award. Her pieces are held in several significant public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Powerhouse Museum, and Geelong Gallery.
Jessica Murtagh’s work explores themes of history, femininity, nature, and everyday life, drawing inspiration from classical artefacts, ancient ceramics and decorative movements such as Art Nouveau. A lifelong fascination with botany, ancient relics, and museum collections informs much of her imagery, from romantic depictions of flora to vignettes of contemporary life imagined as future artefacts.
Jessica’s narrative work is deeply inspired by antiquities from past societies, particularly those of the ancient Athenians. These artefacts, crafted from stone, ceramic and glass, offer glimpses into past cultures, from mythic scenes and godly deeds to tableaus of the everyday. Illustrations of the mundane and domestic are of particular influence, informing her ongoing exploration of how ordinary moments become enduring symbols of culture. Through this lens, Jessica reflects on what stories our own society might one day leave behind and how objects can preserve both beauty and narrative across time.
Join cutting-edge artists from around the world
The Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory is a powerful tool for artists looking to grow their visibility, and connect with fellow artists, curators and collectors. To join the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory click here for more information.
