About Me

darragh

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.

Exhibitions/ Collections

2013“Future Makers” ExhibitionNCAD, Dublin
(Crafts Council of Ireland)
“Thicker than Water” ExhibitionByam Shaw, London
“Future Map 12” ExhibitionCentral St Martin’s, London
University archiveCentral St Martin’s, London
2012Private CommissionHarley St Clinic, London
Designers Block ExhibitionLondon
Private CollectionJeremy Till (Head of Central St Martins)
Shelf Portrait CommissionMegha Mittal
MA Graduate ShowCentral St. Martin’s, London
2011“Design in a Context of Cultural Change”Camper Installation, Spain
Vogue UK – Bond St ProjectVan Cleef & Arpels, London
London Design FestivalUniversity of the Arts, London
2009Annual ExhibitionRoyal Hibernian Academy, Dublin
Sculpture in ContextNational Botanic Gardens Dublin