CultureCraft: Craft in the Making @ The London Street Gallery, Derry

(If you haven't seen it yet there's still time, but hurry the final day, August 22nd is fast approaching!)

 CultureCraft: Craft in the Making is an engaging exhibition at the London Street Gallery that challenged 37 craft artists to create an original work in response to the question of culture and how that may or may not play a role in their practice. 

Derry-Londonderry has been named as the inaugural UK City of Culture 2013. CultureCraft is part of a series of events across the city that is both a response to and a celebration of the city's great achievement. The exhibition venue is located in the old part of the city, near the iconic walls so central to the political and cultural heritage of the city. The temporary gallery can be seen as a key symbol in the regeneration of a city with a rich but not always rosy history. It aims to promote both established and emerging artists and preform a social role within the arts community of the city.

Seliena Cloyle at CultureCraft

Derry native and contemporary jeweller Seliena Coyle curated the exhibition and it is safe to say that its outstanding success is a direct result of her passion and enthusiasm in the cause of promoting Irish craft and culture. Seliena's personal work is heavily involved with developing a new jewellery aesthetic that is sensitive to Irish heritage and cultural traditions. Asked about the exhibition she remarked that, 'People involved in craft will be surprised by this exhibition. Nothing of this standard in craft has ever happened before in the North West. It is going to be a real showcase for craft in Derry, and hopefully will inspire and create an environment where contemporary craft will be embedded in the city.'

The artists own cultural identities and backgrounds are as diverse as the materials they work with. Ranging from recent graduates to established professionals and educators in the fields of textiles, jewellery, glass, ceramics, felting, metalwork and mixed  media they are the crème de la crème of contemporary Irish craft-artists. CultureCraft aims to introduce the concept of craft as a vehicle for creative expression equal to the traditional 'fine arts' so both the artistic intention and the highly skilled craftsmanship are highlighted in the exhibition. 

Participating artists with the mayor of Derry

Here's a full list of participating artists: 

Glass work from Scott Benefield @CultureCraft

Tom Agnew, Neil Read, Alex Scott, Adam Frew, Peter Meanley, Gail Mahon, Peter Fulop (Glass) Scott Benefield, Caroline Madden, Peadar Lamb, Alva Gallagher, James Toal, Charlene McFarland Stuart Cairns, Rachel McKnight, Eily O Connell, Sabrina Meyns, Justyna Truchanowska, Cara Murphy, Angela O Kelly, Grainne Morton, Nigel Cheney, Helen McAllister,  Mary Cullen, Tara Ní Nuáillan, Liz Nilson, Caroline Schofield, Logan McLain, Brigitta Varadi, Liam Flynn, Joe Hogan, Richard Sinclair, Seliena Coyle, Deirdre O Callaghan, Suzanne Woods  

Nigel Cheeny's  printed and embroidered
tape measure @CultureCraft

It is often said that one of the reasons contemporary craft has a difficult time competing in the art market is the lack of critical and academic writing on the subject. Thankfully, the exhibition is contextualised by essays from a number of  leading academics, including Dr Audrey Whitty, Dr Jessica Hemmings, Dr Joseph McBrinn and Professor Declan McGonagle. Their essays will all feature in the CultureCraft catalogue, which will be available soon. 

Well done to all involved with this excellent exhibition and lets hope to see more like it soon.  

The project is sponsored by; Derry City Council, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Craft NI, Crafts Council of Ireland, Creative Village Arts, Inner City Trust and The Culture Company.

Check out this exhibition: London Street Gallery opening times: Tuesday - Saturday; 11am-4pm until August 22nd. Free entry, all welcome! 

For further information about the exhibition please contact:

culturecraftinthecity@gmail.com

londonstreetgallery@gmail.com

Web-links:  

http://www.londonstreetgallery.org

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CultureCraft/145233802309679?fref=

http://pinterest.com/seliena/culturecraft/

Written by: Meadhbh McIlgorm 

Mud & Sand at Gallery Zozimus

Third year Glass and Ceramic students in NCAD have been very busy these last few weeks, labouring on while the newly graduated 4th years finally relaxed All their hard work paid off however at the opening of Mud & Sand last Thursday at Gallery Zozimus on Francis St.

Zozimus represents over 120 artists and is Dublin's only ceramics gallery. Just around the corner from NCAD, the gallery has a strong relationship with the college and regularly exhibits work from ceramics undergraduates Their exhibitions have always been a great success for gallery and artists alike and this one was no different - opening night saw the gallery full to capacity and a lovely evening was enjoyed by all. 

The work on display is as diverse as the students who made it; from Kathy Burke's  carefully considered ceramic multiples to Etaoin O'Reily's playful and brightly coloured 'Buggaplants' the work displayed shows personality and craftsmanship. It is no surprise to see little red-stickers popping up all over the exhibition - these beautiful pieces, are very reasonably priced.  

The 3rd year glass students; Mags O'Dea, Gwyn Grace and Sadhbh Mowlds  stood their own amongst the larger number of ceramics students showing both blown and fused glass work.

 Mags O'Dea presented 'Transparent' which comprised of delicate pate de verre sculptures of hot-water bottles on wiry beds. Her work emphasises the limitations of social care in hospitals. It is worth noting that Mags worked as a theatre nurse before deciding to pursue art so no doubt the subject is close to home. 

The hot water bottle is a metaphor for the patient’s feelings of isolation and vulnerability, it's position on the unforgiving wire mattress highlighting the lack of homely comfort and security patients feel as they wait on trolleys.  

Gwyn  Grace  presented 'Boglands' a  collection of   sculptural vessels in patte de verre glass, the fragility of which depicts the delicate state of the Irish bog-lands; her forms and colours came from the tiny Sundew plant, a protected species, native to the bog. 

Pate de Verre is a technique of making glass forms out of crushed glass powder. While the technique allows for a great deal of detail with colour it is notoriously delicate.  

Gwyn has been involved with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for a number of years and this project  was inspired by  her work with them. 

Last but not least Sadhbh Mowlds presented 'one man's trash...  is another woman's weird obsession'. These beautiful cane-worked glass plastic bags blowing in the imaginary wind are about the significance of a common object that is often overlooked and also about translating the ephemerality of billowing plastic into something solid and frozen. 

Sadhbh, Mags and Gwyn will all be showing work in the Botanic Gardens exhibition, Sculpture in Context in September. 

Well done to all the artists showing in Gallery Zozimus at present, the hard work shows. If you haven't seen it yet there's still time, the exhibition runs until July 7th!

Written by Meadhbh McIlgorm 

NCAD end of year show: Student Profiles

As promised talented graduate number two – Meadhbh McIlgorm

Meadhbh has recently been awarded the CCOI Future Makers Student Award and one of her pieces was selected for the RDS Craft Exhibition. Watch this space!

Meadhbh’s work is an installation made up of numerous ‘intangible’ objects. The delicate pieces are suspended within the space creating a refraction of light and casting thin shadows. These light and dark elements are as much a part of the work as the glass itself – they are the finishing touches.

In her own words Meadhbh is ‘attempting to capture both the tangible and intangible essence of cloud formations’. The beginning of this exploration was research into the manipulation of light. The changeable nature of light and the challenges involved in capturing some of its magic has been approached here with skill and consideration. The result is a piece of work which captures the fragility of glass. The wispy shapes look as if they would crumble if touched (although Meadhbh told me they were tougher than they looked!).

I asked a little about the process of making this work and Meadhbh explained how the forms are heated in a kiln, letting gravity act of the glass allowing an element of random formation. This seems an apt approach to the chaotic but beautiful objects which this process creates.

The pieces will be displayed in Sculpture in Context in September so if you missed this show stopper at the degree show you have been granted a second chance!

Written by Fiona Byrne

Glass at NCAD end of year show

Hi all sorry for the lack of blog posts recently it has been a busy time for us all at the Glass Society. We will have a shiny new webpage soon and our wonderful student rep Meadhbh McIlgorm has taken over from myself as the Media and Communications Officer. But before I hand over completely I wanted to share the amazing talent in this year’s National College of Art and Design degree show which featured: Jesse Gunther, Meadhbh McIlgorm and Michelle Mc Dermott.

We will be presenting a blog feature on each of the above newly hatched glass artists.

First up is Jesse Gunther:

Jesse’s work is a stunning combination of glass and metal work. The hugely labour intensive process used to create the glass components has resulted in wonderfully crafted pieces that are finish to an incredibly high standard. His use of metal started in his Dad’s workshop before college but it did not inform his art work until the creation of a piece for Sculpture in Context at the Botanical Gardens last year.

The appearance of his work seems futuristic and almost otherworldly. When I questioned him on this he said that all the forms for the pieces actually found their routes in nature. His artist’s statement describes how this series of biomorphic, hybrid sculptural forms represent an aesthetic exploration of a variety of natural organisms. He borrows features from insects such as dragonflies and invertebrates such as squid.

If you want to see these beautiful creations in the flesh the show is open until the 22 of June so there is still some time!

Written by Fiona Byrne

FROM PUPIL TO MASTER, SOLOMON FINE ART GALLERY, DUBLIN

From Pupil to Master is a contemporary glass exhibition at Solomon Fine Art, Balfe Street, Dublin 2 from 12th to 27th October 2012. The exhibition will feature new works by Roisin de Buitlear, Sinead Brennan, Karen Donnellan, Peadar Lamb, Caroline Madden, Elizabeth McClure, Sara McEvoy, Charlene McFarland, Fiona Murphy, Paula Stokes, James Toal and Suzannah Vaughan.

Solomon Fine Art have been supporting contemporary glass in Ireland for four decades and are delighted to present this exciting exhibition of artists working in glass. From Pupil to Master will feature the work of 12 artists in a celebration of mastery, mentorship and method. An exciting mix of emerging and established artists will exhibit together for the first time, showing the diversity and alchemy of glass as a material for expression. The exhibition includes work by graduates and senior lecturers, past and present, of the School of Glass Design at the National College of Art and Design Dublin, the majority of whom live and work in Ireland.

The exhibition comprises of figurative sculpture, abstract compositions, drawings in colour and line, encapsulated mark making. Studies in transparency, shadow or light celebrate the innate qualities of glass; luscious colour, fluid form, intricate refractions, translucent liquidity each piece a personal dialogue with the material.

With only a few graduates each year it is interesting to note how this particular school has figured in the world of contemporary glass. Of the exhibiting artists many have become dynamic personalities in the international glass movement, mentors, educators and influential artists in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Some, although at the very beginning of their careers, are already being heralded internationally with awards and exhibitions. This exhibition relays the diversity of this medium and the complexity with which Irish Artists are creating work in glass. It remains to be seen if this exhibition reveals a visual link or style between all of these artists whose lives have been interwoven through material and origin. What is evident is a poetic evocative exhibition of masterful new forms of expression.

From Pupil to Master will be opened by Louise Kennedy on Thursday 11th October from 6pm to 8pm. A lecture and tour of the gallery (with some of the exhibiting artists) will be held on Thursday 18th October at 6.30pm - booking is essential. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 10am – 5:30pm, and Saturdays 10am – 1pm.

W: www.solomonfineart.ie
E:    086 8142380

ANDREA SPENCER EXHIBITING IN METAMORPHOSIS, BELFAST

Curated by Rowan Sexton, Metamorphosis is an exhibition showing work by Andrea Spencer (UK), Stephen Brandes (UK), Vanessa Donoso López (ES), Priscila Fernandes (PT), Cainneach Lennon (IE), Tom Molloy (IE), Ann Murphy (IE) and Magnhild Opdøl (NO).

Metamorphosis alludes to the process of transformation, where a profound change of form, structure or substance occurs. This exhibition aims to establish clear associations between art and the natural sciences, and to contextualize these dual frameworks, where significant cultural common ground exists. The biological mechanisms of growth, change and evolution are examined in tandem with material, philosophical and conceptual concerns within the visual arts. Highlighting the mutual elements in these distinct disciplines opens up a discourse, which emphasizes experimental overlaps, perception and interpretation, in an historical and contemporary context.

At its core, Metamorphosis aims to explore the dynamic relationship between art and the natural sciences. Each of the artists involved has a unique approach to the dual topics under consideration, and their diverse interpretations encompass a multitude of styles and methodologies. The exhibition encourages a deep integration between both disciplines, and incorporates artworks that investigate experimentation, hybridity, physiological studies, psychoanalytical models, musical interpretation, the historically traditional métier of taxidermy, the specialised craft of glass blowing and sculptural interventions within the space.

Metamorphosis will open at PS2 on Friday 19th October from 6 – 9pm and the exhibition will continue until 10th November 2012. The gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 1pm -5pm, Saturday 11am-3pm.

W: www.andreaspencerglass.com
W: www.pssquared.org

ALVA GALLAGHER EXHIBITING AT THE MALL GALLERIES, LONDON

Alva Gallagher has been chosen to exhibit at The Mall Galleries London in this year’s RSMA Exhibition. The exhibition opens to the public on Wednesday 17th October and will show until Sunday 28th October 2012

W: http://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/index.php?pid=2&subid=114
W: www.alvagallagher.com
E: info@alvagallagher.com

SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT, NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Sculpture In Context 2012 is a mixed media sculpture exhibition which includes glasswork by makers Sinéad Brennan, Emma Bourke, Julie-Ann Foley, Jesse Gunther, William Harvey, Nicky Hooper, Eva Kelly, Cynthia Moran Killeavy, Fiona Murphy, Lucinda Robertson, Killian Schurmann and Aoife Soden. Sculpture in Context will be showing at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin until 19th October 2012.

E: info@sculptureincontext.com
W: www.sculptureincontext.com

GLASSWARE FROM THE SOUTHEAST
From the 19th October the Craft Granary in Cahir, Co. Tipperary will be exhibiting in their gallery a collection of glassware from the Southeast region. The collection showcases some fantastic pieces of glassware from Kirkwood, Jerpoint and The Irish Handmade Glass Company to name but a few. The exhibition runs until 21st November 2012. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10am - 6pm and Saturdays 9am - 5pm.

W: www.craftgranary.com

EBELTOFT GLASS MUSEUM EXHIBITION OPEN CALL

Ebeltoft Glasmuseet is proud to announce an open call for an international group exhibition entitled Bodytalk to take place from 5th April to 2nd November 2014.

The call is open to artists at any career stage. Objects can incorporate various materials but must contain an element of glass. The aim is to curate an exhibition of works interpreting various aspects of body, sex and gender. Throughout history, concepts of body and sex have had a significant impact; from ancient idealization of the harmonious, athletic body to the 1960’s ‘liberated’ body and gender perceptions to the more recent depreciation of the ‘natural’ body in favour of the ‘modified’ eternally young body. The selection of work from the applicants will be based on their relevance to the theme of the exhibition. Each artist can submit up to three pieces of work for consideration. It is also possible to send sketches and descriptions for works in progress and proposed works. The deadline for applications is 1st December 2012. The results will be sent by email to each applicant in February 2013. Selected applicants will be announced on the website and notified by email with further information and deadlines.

T: 00 45 86 34 17 99
E: sfb@glasmuseet.dk
W: www.glasmuseet.dk

ANDREA SPENCER WINS ART IN ACTION PRIZE AT BRITISH GLASS BIENNALE

Andrea Spencer was one of seventy-one glass artists who were selected to exhibit at the British Glass Biennale in August 2012 where her piece 'Metamorphosis' was awarded the Art in Action prize. 'Metamorphosis' had previously been part of the Engaging with Glass exhibition that showed at the Solstice Art Centre, Co. Meath (2011), and at the William Traver Gallery in Tacoma, USA (2012). Andrea has been selected for the Biennale in 2008 and 2010, and was the only artist from Northern Ireland selected in 2012.

The Art in Action prize consists of a cash award of £1,000 and the opportunity to demonstrate and exhibit at the Art in Action event in July 2013 in Waterperry, England. You can see Andrea Spencer's work along with the other exhibitors at The British Glass Biennale which is currently running in Stourbridge, West Midlands until the 15 September 2012. The exhibition is based in the newly refurbished industrial space of the former Webb Corbett/Royal Doulton Glass factory, which opened this August as an Arts Centre.

W: http://craftni.org/directory/maker/andrea-spencer

WORK IN PROGRESS EXHIBITION, CULTURE NIGHT 2012

Work in Progress is a showcase of six of Northern Ireland's talented makers who are currently taking part in Craft NI's making it Business Development Programme. This exhibition continues until the 24th of September and is open as part of the fourth Culture Night Belfast on 21st September 2012 at Craft NI, Cotton Court, 42 Waring Street, Belfast.

In keeping with the August Craft Month 2012 theme - Made in Northern Ireland - the aim of this exhibition is to offer insight into the individual maker's motivations, processes and methodology. The exhibition includes finished objects, works in progress, sketch books and drawings giving a unique snapshot into the process of making. Videos produced by Adam Frew have been commissioned to reveal to viewers the person behind the object and the physical nature of fabrication.

T: 029 9032 3059
E: info@craftni.org
W: http://craftni.org/events/making-it-work-in-progress/

EUROPEAN GLASS CONTEXT 2012 – IRISH EXHIBITORS

Opening on the 15th September 2012 as part of European Glass Context 212 are two extensive exhibitions. The exhibition categories are European Glass Art for work made by professional, established artists within the field of glass art, and New Talent - for professional emerging glass artists under the age of 35 years. European Glass Art will be shown at Bornholms Art Museum, and New Talent at Grønbechs Gård.

Representing Ireland in European Glass Art will be Deirdre Feeney and Róisín de Buitléar. Eva Walsh and Edmond Byrne will show in New Talent. The exhibitions will be open 15th September to 18th November 2012.

A prize of €10,000 will be given to one outstanding glass artist in each of the two exhibition categories. A jury with expertise in the field of contemporary glass will go through the exhibitions before the opening and select the winners. The Jury members are architect James Carpenter (founder of Jcdainc.com NYC), Executive Director Rosy Greenlees (Crafts Council UK) and Museum Director Lars Kærulf Møller (Bornholm Art Museum). The prizewinners will be announced at the exhibition opening on15th  September 2012.

W: www.europeanglasscontext.com/events/exhibitions

CRAFT AND DESIGN COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION, BELFAST

The Craft and Design Collective presents In the House Out of the House; an exhibition of craft, applied art and design at Space CRAFT , Belfast, from the 7th to the 28th of September 2012.

In the House Out of the House is exhibition developed from In the House at Castle Ward during CRAFT FEST 2012 in August. At Space CRAFT, the pieces will be exhibited alongside photographs of the pieces as presented in the surrounding of the entrance hall, dining room, library, boudoir and saloon of the 18th Century House at Castle Ward.

The Craft and Design Collective is an independent membership organisation formed in 1997 by artists, designers and makers. They are dedicated to the promotion, representation, understanding and development of craft, applied art and design in Northern Ireland and beyond. The exhibition is open from Monday to Saturday, 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

T: 028 9032 9342 /0779 327 9161
E: info@craftanddesigncollective.com
W: http://craftni.org/events/in-the-house-out-of-the-house/

GEORGE WALSH EXHIBITS IN GREENACRES, WEXFORD

George Walsh will be exhibiting new works in stained glass alongside paintings, drawings and sculpture by artists Liam Belton, Joe Dunne, Mick O’ Dea, Martin Gale, James Hanley, Colin Martin, Una Sealy, John Behan, Leo Higgins, Carolyn Mulholland and Vivienne Roche.

The exhibition, which takes places in Greenacres, Wexford, will open on Saturday 25th August at noon and run until 16th September 2012.

W: http://www.greenacres.ie/art-galleries/exhibitions

EMMA BOURKE EXHIBITS IN THE IRELAND NEWFOUNDLAND TRAIL: A JOURNEY OF PLANTS AND PEOPLE, WATERFORD

The Ireland Newfoundland Trail: A Journey of Plants and People is a collaboration of creators in fine art and craft from both Ireland and Newfoundland. The exhibition exposes a piece of the story of Irish settlers to Newfoundland.

The Ireland Newfoundland Trail: A Journey of Plants and People is an exhibition which centres on plants, most of them considered simple plants, many of which border our roadways or live happily in our meadows and sometimes adorn our home gardens. The purpose of the exhibition is to encourage the telling of stories by the viewers as we compare versions to those of others who live an ocean apart.

Included in this exhibition is Emma Bourke, who is showing intricate flameworked glass pieces of plants frequently inform her broader practice. The exhibition continues until Saturday 1st September 2012 at the Garter Lane Gallery in Waterford city.

W: www.facebook.com/EmmaBourkeGlass
W: www.garterlane.ie

UTENSIL; CURRENT APPROACHES TO TABLEWARE, KILKENNY

Utensil; Current approaches to tableware is an exhibition of European applied artists and product designers who present alternative approaches to tableware. The exhibition will feature innovative tableware and accessories with quirky aesthetics, challenging our expectations of domestic products and fusing utility with art for the table. Utensil is presented as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival at the National Craft Gallery and is curated by Angela O'Kelly.

The exhibitors include: Sharon Blakey & Ismini Samanidou | Stuart Cairns | Chien-Wei Chang  | David Clarke | Maike Dahl | Designgoat | Kirsty Eaglesfield  |TheGreenEyl | Simone Ten Hompel  | John Lambe | Nel Linssen| Anders Ljungberg | Geoffrey Mann | Grant McCaig | Hugo Meert| Wiebke Meurer | Cathy Miles | Enya Moore | Jennifer Slattery | Kaori Tatebayashi | Brian Keaney/Tonfisk Design | Debbie Wijskamp | Annabet Wyndham

The exhibition runs until 29th October 2012. On Thursday 30th August an informal exhibition talk will be held at the gallery.

W: http://www.nationalcraftgallery.ie/exhibitions/utensil

HAND MADE CONTEMPORARY CRAFT EXHIBITION, LIMAVADY

Hand Made is a stunning exhibition featuring the work of five high profile contemporary makers: Alison Lowry, Rachel Dickson, Andrea Hayes, Firebox Ceramics, and Welig Crafts. As part of August Craft Month, this exhibition takes place at the Keady Gallery, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady from the 3rd of August until the 1st of September 2012.

The craftwork exhibited spans glassware, ceramics, textiles, paper sculpture, wood sculpture and more. The curator of the exhibition Desima Connolly (Arts & Cultural Services Officer) states, “The quality of the work you will see speaks volumes about the healthy status of contemporary craft in Northern Ireland. It is important that the artistic excellence and professional dedication of our resident artists is nurtured, showcased and celebrated. I am delighted to have curated this exhibition and further enhance our ongoing support of these five talented makers. This is a wonderful opportunity for craftspeople in the North West to engage with quality production and for anyone to enjoy the absolutely stunning works selected.”

W: http://craftni.org/events/hand-made-at-roe-valley-arts-cultural-centre/
T: 028 7776 0650
E: information@rvacc.co.uk

WORK IN PROGRESS EXHIBITION EXTENDED, NI

The headline exhibition of August Craft Month, Work In Progress showcases applied arts by the six participants on CraftNI's Making IT scheme. The exhibitors are Katie Brown (screen printed textiles), Eamonn Higgins (sculpture), Diane Lyness (silversmith), Alison Lowry (fused glass), Catherine Keenan (blown glass), and Michelle Stephens (weave).

In keeping with the August Craft Month theme, this exhibition aims to offer insight into the individual maker's motivations, processes and methodology. The exhibition includes finished objects, works in progress, sketch books and drawings which give a unique snapshot into the process of making. A video, produced by Adam Frew, has been commissioned to reveal to viewers the person behind the object and the physical nature of fabrication.

The exhibition continues at CraftNI Gallery, Belfast (opposite the Merchant) until the new date of 24th September 2012.

W: http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=5126
W: www.alisonlowry.co.uk
W: www.catherinekeenanglass.com

AOIFE SODEN AND TREVOR HUGHES, THE FLANEUR, DUBLIN

The Flâneur is a recent graduate mixed media exhibition taking place at the Oliver Cornet Gallery, Dublin. The exhibition is curated by Kate Howard and includes pieces by National College of Art and Design graduates Aoife Soden and Trevor Hughes. The exhibition continues until 31st August 2012.  

E: info@olivercornetgallery.com
W: www.oliviercornetgallery.com