BRIAN CLARKE 1947 - 2025

Brian Clarke was a Master Silversmith, tutor and researcher, who ran his own studio in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, from 1973 to 2025. His life was dedicated to craft, artistry and the acquisition and sharing of knowledge and skills. He made thousands of works over the course of his career: jewellery pieces, trophies, chalices, knives, chains of office, large scale public art, croziers, cutlery and much, much more. His work can be seen in many collections, including in the National Museum of Ireland, in Dublin, The British Museum, the National Museum of Wales, and the Vatican Collection. He was passionate about keeping skills alive, and through his research made important breakthroughs in the understanding of the metalworking techniques of antiquity. As well as being a creator and researcher, he was a tutor. He was frequently invited to share his techniques and knowledge at workshops in Ireland and internationally, and students came from all over the world to learn from him at his own workshop in Wicklow. He leaves a legacy of skills and knowledge, and a love of the craft, passed on to thousands of students over the decades.