About Me
The Shelf Portrait Project.
Designer, Darragh Casey created the ‘Shelf Portrait Project’ as research for his MA project ‘Shelving the Body’ at Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design, London. Frustrated with the commercial constraints of the design industry, Casey aimed to created furniture that focused on one individuality and one-offs rather than target audiences or mass production.
As well as subverting design traditions, the ‘Shelf Portrait’ is a photograph of various people physically suspended on shelves alongside objects that define their lives and personalities. Casey’s initial Shelf Portraits were created around his own family – his grandmother, brothers and parents.
The Shelf Portrait Project was immediately recognised for its alternative design thinking and Casey was awarded a ‘Future Makers’ Grant from the Craft Council of Ireland and was also short listed for a ‘Nova Award – The Lowe and Partners award for fresh creative talent’.
Casey’s limited edition prints are regularly exhibited throughout London and Ireland and are purchased by private collectors including the University of the Arts Permanent Collection and the Head of Central St Martin’s College, Mr Jeremy Till. Currently Casey welcomes private and commercial commissions and collaborations as he develops an archive of personalities, relationships and creative subversion.
| 2013 | “Future Makers” Exhibition | NCAD, Dublin |
| (Crafts Council of Ireland) | ||
| “Thicker than Water” Exhibition | Byam Shaw, London | |
| “Future Map 12” Exhibition | Central St Martin’s, London | |
| University archive | Central St Martin’s, London | |
| 2012 | Private Commission | Harley St Clinic, London |
| Designers Block Exhibition | London | |
| Private Collection | Jeremy Till (Head of Central St Martins) | |
| Shelf Portrait Commission | Megha Mittal | |
| MA Graduate Show | Central St. Martin’s, London | |
| 2011 | “Design in a Context of Cultural Change” | Camper Installation, Spain |
| Vogue UK – Bond St Project | Van Cleef & Arpels, London | |
| London Design Festival | University of the Arts, London | |
| 2009 | Annual Exhibition | Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin |
| Sculpture in Context | National Botanic Gardens Dublin |