Mark Newman is an Irish born jeweller whose practice is primarily informed by the proliferation of the digital world and his own neurodivergent approach of non-visual generative design methodology. Mark explains:
“In 2017 I learnt that I am affected by a newly discovered neurodivergence named aphantasia. Aphantasia leaves the mind’s eye blind, causing the sufferer unable to conjure images within their mind – be it people, places or ironically for a maker like myself, the inability to conjure up potential designs. This led me to develop my own approach to design. Completely free from visualisation, I set out my own kind of ‘algorithms’ informed by aesthetics, brain function and pattern recognition. This allows me to design complex pieces of wearable art which trigger neurons within the viewer, eliciting a primal desire.”
Having struggled through his initial studies in jewellery design, narrowly avoiding failing his degree due to being unaware of his neurodiversity, Mark went on to win numerous awards in his home country of Ireland. These include the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland “future makers” award in 2019, Royal Dublin Society’s craft award in 2020, and being named as one of 10 “future lights of Irish craft” in 2022. Most recently in 2023 his work was recognised for its excellence in craftsmanship by the Michelangelo Foundation and he was subsequently invited to join their Homo Faber Guide, which drew international attention to his work.
Mark’s first matrix trio of rings was created in 2021 and went on to win silver at the prestigious Goldsmiths Company and Design Councils’ Brown & Newirth award, “designed to identify and reward high quality hand craft skills demonstrated on fine jewellery”.
The intricate geometric detail in Mark’s pieces truly comes alive when viewed in person. He examines logic driven patterns, creating practical “algorithms” which are informed by pre-established design notions like that of visual hierarchy, aesthetics and cognitive functions in theory of design. Visual inspiration comes from utilitarian systems such as civil engineering and brutalism, but reimagined in white gold, yellow gold and precious stones like tourmaline, topaz and garnet.
Mark was first introduced to the UK craft scene in 2014 when he was an exchange student at the Glasgow School of Art. He fell in love with Scotland, later returning for an artist residency in 2016. He returned home to train under renowned goldsmith Eimear Conyard at Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s jewellery school where he developed his newly adapted approach, taking this further with study at Birmingham School of Jewellery from 2019. Mark has now settled in Glasgow with his partner, whom he met all those years ago as an exchange student, and splits his time between his practice and teaching.
Pieces for Sale:
Matrix Ring I, 2023, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct Yellow Gold, Amethyst
£6,990
Matrix Ring II, 2023, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct White Gold, Citrine, Black Rhodium
£6,930
Matrix Ring III, 2023, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct White Gold, Iolite
£7,330
Matrix Ring IV, 2024, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct Yellow & White Gold, Ametrine
£7,390
Matrix Ring V, 2024, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct Gold, Tourmaline
£7,580
Matrix Ring VI, 2024, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct Red Gold, Topaz
£6,910
Matrix Ring VII, 2024, W 21mm x H 26mm x D 17mm, 18ct White Gold, Garnet
£7,490
Email Mark: marknewmandesigns@gmail.com