Glass Society of Ireland

ROISIN DE BUITLEAR AND EMMA BOURKE, 21ST CENTURY ICONS, GALWAY CITY MUSEUM
Some of Ireland's most exciting contemporary jewellers re-interpret the iconic forms of Celtic neckpieces, torcs and lunulas for the 21st Century. The function of jewellery has always been to convey status. This was particularly true of the torc, whose ostentatious size and weight could communicate the force and power of the wearer. But in contemporary usage, the torc has become an object of kitsch, often geared towards the tourist. But if we were to design neckpieces now that conveyed something about us - as Irish - to the world, what would they say? And what would they look like? Would they be gold? Recycled? Injection moulded? Would they be images of power and beauty? Shackles? Or blue collars?

21st Century Icons offers a unique opportunity for 21 of Ireland’s most innovative and creative makers to suggest some answers. The makers responses have included inspiration from a vast array of influences including the National Museum’s Bronze Age gold collection (Inga Reed); sheep’s wool from Co. Waterford (Eily O’Connell); the spiritual warrior women of Irish legend (Melissa Curry); Celtic lunulas (Christina Brosnan); the Tudor style ruff (Rachel McKnight); the 21st century neckpiece, the ipod headphones (Sam Hamilton); social networking (Laura McNamara) and tangles of Irish branches and tree roots (Emma Bourke).

The exhibition, which is curated by Ann Mulrooney, will continue until 2nd August 2012 at Galway City Museum.

W: http://www.ccoi.ie/gallery/exhibition.php?listing_ID=114