Lucia Whelan is a contemporary Irish jeweller, based in Dublin. Her practice is deeply rooted within her surrounding landscape and Irish heritage. Being raised in the countryside of Ireland, she has found that having a strong connection to the local environment has been crucial to her development as an artist. Lucia’s work is rooted in sustainability, which she expresses through her use of natural fibres and plant dyes.

Her passion for the craft began during her BA at the National College of Art and Design, where she graduated with an honours degree in Jewellery and Object Design. Currently Lucia works from her small at home studio in Dublin, where she aims to create pieces that inspire people to feel bold, curious and conscious.

Lucia’s work is an embodiment of the land around her, expressed as contemporary wearables. Her collection, Precious Land, is centred around the Irish landscape and the value of working with raw Irish materials, such as native sheep wool, slate and linen. The wool industry in Ireland was once a vital part of Irish heritage, whereas today, most of Ireland’s wool is either exported or discarded as waste. This project intends to inspire a connection between the wearer and the land and celebrate the value of a now underappreciated material.
Her practice involves travelling to various parts of Ireland, noting texture and colour, then translating this into material form through processes such as etching and natural dye. While rooted in traditional techniques, she combines silver and magnetism to hold the natural components in place. As a result, there is an interchangeable quality to Lucia’s work, allowing for customisation and a deeper connection to each piece.

Her process begins with wax experimentation, shaping organic forms that are then refined through digital technologies to introduce geometric elements—achieving designs that would be impossible with traditional skills alone. Adding another dimension to her work, she manipulates colour to enhance contrast and depth.
Louise's jewellery aims to provoke questions about the relationship and tension between the organic and the geometric. Through her work, she hopes to spark curiosity, intrigue, and a sense of familiarity while inviting conversation and interaction with each piece.