Stopress, CCoI January/February 2008

19

SHOWCASE 2008 P.6

IRISH APPLIED ARTS IN THE COLLECTION P.3

OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND

The establishment of Álainn has come about as a direct result of the Council’s consumer research and consumer focused Strategic Plan - which identified the Collectors Market as having very good potential for further exploration and growth.

'Whether it’s delicately sculpted ceramics, elegant jewellery, exquisite silverware or finely crafted furniture,contemporary craft can be an heirloom of the future' said special guest speaker Audrey Whitty, Curator ofCeramics, Glass and Asian Collections of the National Museum of Ireland (also see article on page 3), at Álainn's launch.

Through Álainn, collectors and potential collectors of fine Irish craft can further explore their passion for collecting and in addition will have the opportunity to meet with other key players in the contemporary Irishcrafts world. For just €50 a year, members are offered invitations to special collectors events, exclusive toursof private and public collections and visits to the studios of some of Ireland’s master craftspeople.They are also entitled to discounts on publications and exhibitions at Ireland’s National Craft Gallery. Most importantly theyreceive regular communication from the Crafts Council of Ireland on events relating to contemporary craft thatwill be of interest to them.

At the launch, Úna Parsons, CEO of the Crafts Council of Ireland invited all those present to share in her visionfor Irish craft. She said “We have an extraordinarily rich heritage in designing and making that continues too quietly today. We need to actively celebrate and proudly promote this heritage and ensure its prosperity intothe future. Building active partnerships with the collecting public and the places they buy through Álainn andother initiatives is another step towards building confidence in the market and to increase sales of Irish craft.Membership is certain to lead to a lifelong love affair with Irish craft”.

For more information on Álainn and how to join, visit the Crafts Council of Ireland website at: www.ccoi.ie or contact Cornelia McCarthy, CCoI Collector Market Manager at T: 056 7761804 e: cornelia @ccoi.ie

Snapshots from the ‘Álainn’ launch are on page 2.

On the 26th November 2007 the Crafts Council

of Ireland (CCoI) launched a new initiative for the

fine Irish Craft market in the National Museum of

Ireland. Titled ‘Álainn’ - the Irish word for ‘beautiful’

(pronounced Aw-leen), this is a membership social

networking friends / society aimed at anyone who has

a passion for or is a collector of ‘beautiful’ Irish Craft.

Bringing together lovers of fine Irish Craft

News and ReviewsP2 Event Álainn - snapshots

P3 Irish Applied Arts @ NMI by

Audrey Whitty

P6 Showcase 2008

P8 GANS conference

Craft Community NewsP9 Donegal wins award

Michael Moore - Taiwan

Ceramics Biennale

Textiles Connections

Craft Community Forum P 10 A new dialogue

OpportunitiesP12 Craft at Bloom 2008

SOFA Opportunity

Craft NI Conference

P 13 Sculpture in the Parklands

CCoI Jewellery & Pottery Open Day

Retailer Support

P14 GANS & Network Support

Research Missions

Showcase seminars

P15 Dates for Diary

Advertisements P 16 Advertisements

Exhibitions - NCG P20 SOFA Review

P22 NCG 2007 Review

P24 Exhibitions 2008

Crafts Council of Ireland Newsletter

Event Snapshots 2

Anne Montgomery (CCoI Board Member), Audrey Whitty (Curator of Ceramics, Glass and Asian Collections, National Museum ofIreland), Jim Dunne (CCoI Board Member) and Úna Parsons (CEO of CCoI)

Odhrán O'Shea admires some of the work on exhibit

Oisín Boydell and Mary Boydell with Audrey Whitty (Curatorof Ceramics, Glass and Asian Collections, National

Museum of Ireland)

Frances Ruane (Ar t Buyer), Gerry and Jean Murphy (Showcase Events Limited)

Tom Cullen (Think Media) and Cornelia McCar thy (CCoI Collector Market Manager)

Sonya Perkins (Publisher of Irish Ar ts Review), Audrey Whitty (Curator of Ceramics, Glass and Asian Collections, National Museum of Ireland) and Úna Parsons (CEO of CCoI)

Launch of Álainn at The National Museum of Ireland

Úna Parsons CEO of the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) speaks at the launch


News and Reviews3

In recent years this situation has been modified and the NMI is again in a position to acquire contemporary Irish material for the national collection. Outside of the National Museum’s own acquisitions budget,there is also a joint purchase scheme with the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) since 2004, which has significantly helped in establishing arepresentative Irish contemporary applied arts collection held at theNational Museum, Collins Barracks.

In order to underline the international context of past contemporary collecting by the National Museum it is necessary to begin with some significant examples.The first is a late 19th century Art Nouveau vase byErnest-Baptiste Lévéillé of France, who along with the works of histeacher, Francois-Eugene Rousseau, was acquired by the NationalMuseum within the first decade of its existence. Irish contemporary material was also collected by the National Museum during thelate19th/early 20th century, e.g. an Art Nouveau-inspired ceramic vase byFrederick Vodrey of Moore Street, Dublin (active 1872-97), and Neo-Celtic decorated jardinière design by the RHA artist Charles Russellfrom 1885. Later on after the foundation of the Irish state, contemporarycollecting became more intermittent, but never theless significant acquisitions were made, such as ceramics by Kathleen Cox from c. 1930.It is in the ceramics area more than other disciplines where additions tothe collection during the 1980s were more prolific. For example, highquality works by Sonja Landweer, Deirdre McLoughlin and VivienneFoley were all acquired in this decade. These acquisitions bore great foresight as is evident in how successful all three artists have become.Indeed later works by these artists have since been acquired in order toillustrate their artistic progression and development in recent years.

The remainder of this lecture will discuss artists whose work is alreadyrepresented in the National Museum’s collection or which is deemed ofsufficient quality to warrant possible inclusion. In the area of jewelleryAngela O’Kelly and Berina Kelly both have works in the NationalMuseum’s collection that were acquired under the NMI/CCoI joint purchase scheme. O’Kelly’s artistic output is noted for the way in which itcross-disciplines textiles, jewellery and sculpture. A graduate and post-graduate of the Edinburgh College of Art and UCD, O’Kelly lectures atboth NCAD and the Edinburgh College of Art. Her mixed media neckand arm pieces are particularly inventive and through her innovativeapproach she has influenced other jewellery artists a generation youngerthan herself, e.g. Rachel McKnight. The work of Berina Kelly is rather different from O’Kelly’s, and is rooted in the fine Irish silversmith tradition.One of Kelly’s ‘Art of Gold’ necklaces was acquired by the NationalMuseum in 2004. A graduate and postgraduate of the University ofUlster’s silversmith and jewellery courses, Berina Kelly along with O’Kelly

Irish Applied Arts in the Collection of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, DublinLecture delivered by Audrey Whitty (National Museum of Ireland)

at SOFA, Chicago on 3rd November 2007

The origins of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI)

date to the foundation of its forerunner the Dublin

Science and Art Museum in 1877. At that time and up

until the early 20th century the acquisition of

contemporary applied arts, both national and

international was an important aspect of collecting

policy. This situation changed on Independence in

1922 when the collections remit turned almost

exclusively to that of historical collecting of Irish

decorative and applied arts.

Deirdre McLoughlin, circa 1982,Image copyright of the National Museum

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Vivienne Foley Image copyright of the National Museum

Angela O’Kelly


News and Reviews 4

has a strong academic record.When one is examining potential museumacquisitions it is certainly a favourable statement about the professional development of an artist for them to have undertaken postgraduatestudy. Indeed since 2002 the National Museum has purchased workdeemed of sufficient quality from graduate/postgraduate college shows.This fact underlines the educational importance of the National Museumof Ireland in addition to its more obvious safeguarding of the country’smaterial record.

The work of Nicola Henley, although not represented in the Nationalcollection, has been included here as evidence of the current vibrant production in Irish textile art. As with O’Kelly traditional boundaries havebeen pushed aside in order to accommodate a combination of techniques on a large-scale format. Pieces consist of dying, painting,screen-printing cotton calico, texturing the surface with handmadeJapanese paper and silk stitching. Henley has a first class honours degreein fine art textiles from Goldsmiths College, London and has been livingin Ireland since 1991. Her artist’s statement concerning her interest inbirds is well written, and captures succinctly what lies behind her inspiration:‘Stranded at an ornithological centre due to stormy weather, I starteddrawing Peregrine falcons moving across the landscape and was captivatedby that small jewel-like being with all that space around it. In my sketches I want to capture the essence of the bird and its movement, a momentin time, a memory of passing movement.’

Works by both Kevin O’Dwyer and Séamus Gill are represented in theNational Museum’s collection. O’Dwyer may be said to embody mainlythe American silversmith tradition having trained at the School of the ArtInstitute, Chicago as well as being apprentice to both Harriet Driessiggerand William Frederick. In 2006 one of his architectural coffee sets waspurchased under the NMI/CCoI joint purchase scheme, and recently atSOFA a similar set was favourably received by the American public.O’Dwyer’s work is internationally renowned and represented in the col-lections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Japanese Imperial Familyamongst others. Séamus Gill has been equally successful. In 1991 one ofhis tea services became the first contemporary purchase by the NationalMuseum of Ireland in silver since the early 20th century. More recently(2004) the National Museum acquired one of his pendant necklaces. Gillstudied silversmithing at both NCAD and the University of Ulster. Hiscontemporary take on such a prized traditional Irish medium has beeneloquently summarised by the great playwright Brain Friel: ‘Most elegantpieces, stylish and ethereal and gentle.’

In the medium of woodturning and furniture four artists deserve particularmention: Joseph Walsh, Laura Mays (of Yaffe Mays), Roger Bennett andLiam Flynn. Yaffe Mays bring a strong architectural influence to their creations in furniture. Combining Irish and American education in furnitureproduction (Letterfrack and College of the Redwoods) between them,

theirs will be an important legacy in this country. Joseph Walsh is entirely self-taught, which makes his artistic output all the more staggeringboth aesthetically and technically. His chair entitled ‘Suaimhneas’ has beenacquired by the National Museum, and at SOFA the American audiencefavourably received other strong pieces such as ‘Sanagi’. In much the sameway Eileen Gray (also largely self-taught) dissolved the boundariesbetween furniture and architectural design in the 20th century, so toodoes Walsh in the 21st century. Considering the fact he is only in his late20s, there is no reason not to believe that he may well attain the samedegree of international notoriety as Gray in later years. Both Flynn andBennett are master wood-turners, (the former rooted in a strong Irishtradition that has been internationally acknowledged namely in his workwith oak, the other artist exhibiting a light engineering format), and notedpractitioners in their field. Flynn’s ‘Inner Rimmed’ series in which significantmodifications are made to the necks of the pieces and include bands of finely carved texture and more ver tical flutes, are ingenious sculptural works.

Ceramics has been more consistently built upon as a collection area bythe National Museum than many of the other mediums. This has hadmuch to do with intermittent collecting during the 1980s/90s as well asa high number of Irish artists in the medium in recent years. During thecourse of my lecture at SOFA works by Deirdre McLoughlin, CormacBoydell, Frances Lambe, Isobel Egan, Kathleen Moroney, Lisa Young, NeilRead, Robert Lee and Sara Flynn were shown. All of these artists havework in the collection of the National Museum, apart from Moroney, butit is planned that work by her will be acquired in 2008. Ceramics illustrates the eclectic range of influences currently at play in Irish contemporary applied arts. From the internationally renowned living athome (Cormac Boydell) and abroad (Deirdre McLoughlin), to the up andcoming postgraduates (Isobel Egan - M.A. graduate, NCAD), to the educators - Neil Read and Lisa Young, and Cork vessel-based exponents- Lee and Flynn.

Finally a cursory examination of the state of Irish glass art was discussedwith the works of Caroline Madden, Killian Schurmann, Mary Mackey,Peadar Lamb and Peter Young being highlighted. The three-dimensionalversus two-dimensional aspect of the genre in this country was stressedas rather unique in a European context - from the American influenceseen in Madden’s sculptures to the traditional medium of stained glass asexemplified in the artistic oeuvre of Peadar Lamb, all are highly originalcreations.

Séamus Gill Kevin O’Dwyer

Ceramics illustrates the

eclectic range of influences

currently at play in Irish

contemporary applied arts


News and Reviews5

The overriding hallmark of what determines acquisition by the National Museum isthat of exceptional artistic quality, originality of technique or innovative interpretationof traditional mediums. The primary aim of the lecture delivered at SOFA, Chicagowas to emphasise the wonderful variety and fluidity of ideas as well as sophisticationof work, which currently exists in Irish applied arts.

Audrey Whitty

Curator - Ceramics, Glass & Asian Collections, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin

Liam Flynn Cormac Boydell

Roger Bennett

Laura Mays Image copyright of the National Museum

Deirdre McLoughlin Isobel Egan

Frances Lambe Kathleen Moroney Lisa Young

Berina Kelly Rober t Lee Sara Flynn

Note: The works of the following artists; Cormac Boydell, Deirdre McLoughlin, Isobel Egan, Frances Lambe, Lisa Young, Berina Kelly, Robert Lee, Liam Flynn, Séamus Gill, Kevin O'Dwyer andAngela O'Kelly - all have work in the NMI collection, just not necessarily the works illustrated in this article.

SHOWC ASE 2008CHANGES, DEVELOPMENTS AND EVOLUTIONS

2008 sees a range of new changes and developments:

• The launch of a Craftsmanship Award recognising and rewarding excellence

• The Craft-Ed exhibition area in the lobby of the Enterprise Hall, where

buyers, media and exhibitors can see work from craftspeople of the future

- the winners of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Third Level Awards

• Buyers and media trend talks on the Lifestyle Area - at intervals over the

first 2 days of the show

• A range of seminar topics for exhibitors - short, sharp sessions on key

topics such as Managing Your Order Book, Knowing the Buyers Needs,

Next Steps Post-Show as well as an induction session for new craft

exhibitors

• New Corporate Buyers day - Wednesday 23rd January - offering a specific

service for buyers sourcing corporate gifts, awards and accessories.• There will also be ample opportunity to meet the new CEO of the Crafts

Council of Ireland, Úna Parsons, who is keen to meet as many CCoIexhibitors at the show as possible

Other key activities at the show that are constantlybeing improved and developed include:

• SSOOUURRCCEE AAiissllee, which hosts over 40 makers, 4 New Faces (never at

Showcase before) plus 5 newcomers to the Aisle

• INNDDEEXX BBeesstt NNeeww PPrroodduucctt AAwwaarrddss ddiissppllaayy iinn MMaaiinn HHaallll - which has had a

facelift for the occasion and will feature 4 category winners as well as an

overall winner

• CCCCooII LLiiffeessttyyllee AArreeaa aatt tthhee eenndd ooff tthhee SSOOUURRCCEE aaiissllee - which features craft

displayed under the following themes: Passionate Plum,Vibrant Violet and All

That Glitters

• TTrreenndd SSeemmiinnaarrss ffoorr CCCCooII eexxhhiibbiittoorrss - at 8am on Monday 21st January 2008

in the Dodder Room 1

• Wide range of nneeww eexxhhiibbiittoorrss on the Group Stands in the Enterprise Hall

• The CCrraafftt EExxhhiibbiittoorrss PPaarrttyy which takes place in the Library of the

RDS and will feature the presentation of the Best Group Stand and

Craftsmanship Awards

"This will be my first year experiencing Showcase as CEO of the Crafts Council

of Ireland - although I have attended in the past - and I’m really looking forward

to seeing the show in action, meeting the craft exhibitors and the buyers.’

Explains Úna Parsons. ‘Showcase is one of the highlights in the craft calendar

- enabling makers to meet over 6,000 buyers from home and abroad. I’d like

to think that as the consumer-focused programmes in our Strategic Plan 2007

- 2009 start to impact that we will see more and more craft exhibitors at

Showcase and more quality craft on retail shelves.’

EXHIBITORS NEWS….

“The Trend Seminar provided a great melting pot of current andemerging Trend ideas for the next 12 months.”

Your CCoI Exhibitor Information Pack will hold all of the information you will

need for the duration of the show - in particular details on the new seminar

programme, the trend seminar, the Craftsmanship Award, Showcase Party, the

new CCoI Subsidy and all CCoI Services.

If you have any queries call to the CCoI stand at the top of the SOURCE Aisle

in the Main Hall or talk to any of our staff as they tour the show.

• Index Best New Product Awards

Index is a great way of drawing buyers to your stand - as they are always

looking for new product. Make sure that if you have new product that you

submit it - contact Catherine Jordan at 087 2215287.

And if you make it into the top 50, or better again win an award, make sure

you promote that during and after the show!

Ray Power (Castle Arch) Showcase 2008


News and Reviews 6

This January will see the 32nd Showcase Ireland in the RDS

- Ireland’s largest fashion and interiors show. The show has

grown substantially since it was set up by the Crafts Council of

Ireland (CCoI) all those years ago - from just 30 exhibitors to over

600, over 150 of whom are craftspeople. The show will be

officially opened by Minister Micheál Martin who will present

winners with their awards.

• SOURCE Aisle

If you are interested in applying for the SOURCE Aisle in 2009 please make

sure to attend the seminar or contact Catherine Jordan at 087 2215287.

• Trend Seminars

Michelle Lamb will present one trend session exclusively for CCoI exhibitors at

the show - on Monday 21st January at 8am in the Dodder Room 1 - booking

is recommended so e-mail [email protected] or call Mary Whelan at

T: 056 7796131

See also the article in the last issue of Stopress 18 for more information on

Michelle Lamb, available to download at www.ccoi.ie

Below is a quote from one of the participating craftspeople at a recent

trends seminar delivered by Michelle Lamb.

The Trend Seminar provided a great melting pot of current and emerging Trend

ideas for the next 12 months. Michelle presented a fascinating psychology around

what makes a trend, how it emerges and how it morphs into other design ideas.

The Trend Seminar given by Michelle was such good food for thought, the under-

standing of the lifespan of any trend especially colour is so important for makers

and retailers alike and Michelle's presentation helped highlight how anyone in a

competitive market can benefit from this understanding.

Edmund McNulty,Textiles

• Craft Enterprise Seminars a series of workshops and seminars for

exhibitors at Showcase or intending to exhibit next year. For full details see

page 14 in the Opportunities section of this issue of Stopress.

• Lifestyle Area

The themes this year are Passionate Plum, Vibrant Violet and All that Glitters

- if you haven’t submitted product please consider this for coming years as the

Lifestyle Area is a great way to draw Buyer attention to your product.

Make sure you get a chance to look at the area - as these themes will be key

for consumers for 2008 and 2009.

Tips and Suggestions for Dealing with….. CCoorrppoorraattee BBuuyyeerrss aatt SShhoowwccaassee

The Corporate Gift sector can be a lucrative sales channel - and craft

can provide corporate buyers with high quality, Irish handcrafted,

unique items across a wide variety of product ranges and price points.

With this in mind the Crafts Council of Ireland have developed a Corporate

Buyers service at Showcase on the fourth day of the show and have invited a

database of over 500 buyers from a mix of companies, professional bodies,

institutes and associations.This is a pilot event which, if it proves successful for

craftspeople, we hope to build and develop in the future.

If you are interested in selling into this market please make sure to contact:

Mary Whelan at [email protected]

Corporate Gift buyers tend to have distinct purchasing needs that are

driven either by:

• Price point i.e. they will need a number of items at a given price point. For

example they may want a stock of desk items to give to valued clients at

certain times of the year.

• Occasion i.e. they will have a specific event or visiting dignitary in mind. For

example they may have awards to commission or purchase or a high value

once off gift to purchase

• Function i.e. awards or focal pieces for corporate spaces

Corporate Buyers will have a badge identifying them as Corporate Buyers as

opposed to general buyers. It is important that you:

• Establish their purchasing needs (see above)

• Find out when they need the product for

• Whether they need product to be personalised - they may wish to include

logo’s, corporate colours etc.

• Whether they need packaging - and if this needs to be personalised

They may be simply browsing at Showcase - as they may not be aware of their

exact needs for the year ahead. So use this as an opportunity to open up a

relationship with them - make sure you get their contact details and keep a

record of whatever information you elicit from them regarding their needs so

that you can follow up at the appropriate time of the year.

Make sure you have relevant information to hand - on your business, your

product ranges (particularly those suited to corporate gifts), options for

personalising gifts (if you have them) and reason’s why unique, handmade Irish

craft gifts make such a positive corporate statement.

For more information contact Mary Whelan at [email protected].

News and Reviews7



News and Reviews 8

Thanks to their enthusiasm, commitment and plain love of their craft, delegates ensured that the conferencewas an exciting forum for discussion and debate as well as a genuinely agreeable experience. It was animportant opportunity for the Crafts Council of Ireland to establish connection with groups, to facilitatesharing best practice and listen to needs. It also provided opportunities to network and debate CCoI strategy for the future.

Between one and three represented delegates from the following guilds, associations, networks and societies attended:

Bridge Street Studios Irish Craft Association

Castlecomer Estate Yard Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers

Ceramics Ireland Irish Patchwork Society

Clare Association of Artists & Craftworkers Irish Woodturners Guild

Dunbrody Textile Academy Louth Craftmark

Feltmakers Ireland Offaly Arts & Crafts Group

Glass Society of Ireland Wexford Craftnet

Handweavers Guild of Cork West Cork Craft & Design GuildIrish Basketmakers Association

Úna Parsons (CEO of CCoI) introduced herself formally to the group and gave an insight into her back-ground, interests and experience. Emer Ferran, Enterprise Development Manager, made a short presenta-tion and there were also presentations from Alison Ospina,West Cork Craft & Design Guild and Tina Byrneand Grainne Watts, presented the history of Ceramics Ireland.

After two days of information exchange, presentations and lively debate the conference concluded withplans already underway for 2008. The CCoI will facilitate two half-day GANS meetings on 6th March and11th September in Kilkenny so please put this in your diary.

For further information contact Emer Ferran T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected]

GANS Conference 2007

GANS was established by the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) in 2000 as the representative

organisation for Craft Guilds, Associations, Networks and Societies. On 15th and 16th

November 2007, representatives from these groups came together for a 2-day conference in

the Parade Tower Kilkenny.

Tips and Suggestions for Dealing with…..JJoouurrnnaalliissttss aatt SShhoowwccaassee

Getting press coverage is an invaluable way of marketing your business

- it is more credible than advertising as it is not paid for and more

wide reaching than direct marketing. So it is well worth the effort to

maximise your potential for coverage.

Be prepared - the worst thing you can do is to have a journalist come to your stand and not have the information they are looking for. Make sure you have a press pack (digital or paper - or preferably both) containing the following information:

• Press release highlighting what is new about your ranges/products/company• Images of your work - preferably print quality and with a licence for use

agreement in place with the photographer• Your contact details - phone, fax, e-mail, mobile, address, website - anything

that makes you accessible!• Product list/brochure/background information

If you have a database of journalists contact them in advance of the show and invite them to visit you at your stand - make sure to give them the stand number.

If a journalist visits your stand:

• be informative and welcoming - but not pushy• get their name and the name of their publication

• try to establish their areas of interest • talk them through your range and give them some insight into the process

of making, the inspirations for pieces, your own background, the type of consumer who buys your work - anything that will make your product standout in their memory

• offer them your press pack• after the show follow up with them, letting them know how the show went

for you and see if there is any other information they require• try to use the opportunity to develop a relationship with them - and

maintain the relationship by keeping in touch when you have genuine news,new images etc.

• And remember - always be positive!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Buyer Beware!It has been brought to our attention that a number of craft-related businesses havebeen targeted by a publication called the Fair Guide (see www.fairguide.com)which is published by a company called Construct Data (www.cgnet.at) - and haveinadvertently signed up to paid advertising which they had thought was free ofcharge.The small print on the booking form states that there is a substantial fee dueevery year for a three-year period. Please be aware - and read the small printbefore you sign so that you are fully informed of what you are legally agreeing to.

Therefore we would urge craftspeople to read all booking forms and contracts priorto signing - and not to be pressurised into signing up to anything on the spot, and inparticular at an event or fair. For further information contact [email protected]

Obituary:Conor MeghenThe year saw the passing of our

dear colleague Conor Meghen

who lost his battle for life after a

long illness. Conor who over the

years became a friend, confident

and even counsellor to many

exhibitors leaves an unfillable gap

in the Showcase Team. Our deepest

sympathy is extended to his wife

Jennifer, and his family and many

many friends.

Selected for the 2008 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale

Michael Moore, ceramicist has been selected for the 2008 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale. Michael, a new member of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s PORTFOLIO was short-listed from over 700 entries.He hopes to travel to China in summer 2008.

Textiles Connections...

Crafts Council of Ireland Newsletter Crafts Council of Ireland Newsletter

News and Reviews9

Mat Kujama, Programme Advisor, Accel, Sean Grant, Grant Design, Chairperson - Donegal Design Directorate and Aisling Lynch, Design Programme Manager,Donegal Design Directorate

Donegal Design Directorate Wins National AwardWith competition from 55 other Accel Projects from around the country,the Donegal Design Directorate has won an Accel national award for PR and Branding at a Gala ceremony held in the Sligo Clarion Hotel.

Accel is the national skills and competitiveness initiative set up by the Department ofEnterprise,Trade and Employment. It funds projects across Ireland that help businesses to compete through improved skills.

The Directorate was established by Donegal County Enterprise Board in 2006 to transform the competitive strength of micro and small Donegal companies throughimproved design skills.

Kaunas Art Biennial Textile 07 30th November 2007 - 2nd March 2008

Kaunas Art Biennial, Lithuania creates a platform for contemporary textile art, nourishes artistic creativity and

promotes culture in the public sphere of Kaunas City and beyond and includes international exhibitions, satellite

events, educational and research programs, and commissions. For further information contact Virginija

Vitkiene, Executive Director E: [email protected] www.bienale.lt

Reinventing Textiles A One Day Conference open for any one interested in textiles at Colaiste Stiofan Naofa,Tramore Road, Cork on Saturday

2nd February 2008 / 9.30am to 5.00pm. Lecturers from Britain and Ireland’s Leading Textile Contemporary Artists Hand Stitching

& Embellishing • Print • Weaving • Felt • Lectures • Workshops For further information corktextiles.com/conference.htm

Cloth & Culture NOW 28th January - 2nd June 2008 www.clothandculturenow.com

A textile exhibition by Lesley Millar and the University College for the Creative Arts, University of East Anglia,UK.

35 artists, from the 6 countries, (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Japan and the UK) have taken part in the project, contributing personal

statements to the website about the role of textile within their lives.

International Textile Conference 26th January 2008

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia is holding a wide ranging and exciting programme of events throughout the run of

the exhibition at the Centre. For further information and booking please contact the SCVA on: [email protected] or T. 01603 593199


Craft Community Forum 10

A good many years ago in the 1980’s I wrote an essay for the CraftsCouncil of Ireland’s, Craft’s Review magazine entitled ‘Mind the Gap’. Inthis essay I lamented the fact that the way crafts were poorly perceivedwas in no small way influenced by the way they were displayed and thatthe lack of awareness of the conditions of presentation was a blind spotthat did the crafts no favours.

There seemed to be two principal display practices, ‘one off ’ or non-functional work tended to be displayed in a gallery situation, ‘the whitebox syndrome’ always, by the way, in a fine art gallery, and functionalwork was nearly always seen on pine shelves in the ubiquitous craft shop.My view at the time was that a gap existed in the presentation of craftwhich, whilst having a deleterious effect on the way crafts were ‘read andunderstood’, failed totally to recognise the importance and value of context for an uninformed public. By and large this is still the situationtoday albeit that we now have a national craft gallery and a small numberof contemporary craft outlets. However, we still have not addressed theissues of communication and context.

The exhibition ‘Side by Side’ at the Hunt Museum in Limerick (23rd

Nov.2007-13th Jan.2008) sponsored by the Crafts Council of Ireland istherefore, for me, a welcome and interesting initiative in that it attemptsto contextualise contemporary craft by challenging the white box andpine shelf display conventions by presenting contemporary craft workalongside archaic artefacts within the Hunt Collection.The background to the exhibition is that contemporary craftsmen and women were invited to submit work which was then placed in an ‘appropriate’ settingside by side with work from the collection. Does it work?

Well, if the object of the exercise was simply to place contemporarywork next to historical objects with nothing to be read into the exerciseother than to utilise gallery space it is exactly that - an exhibition of contemporary craft in a museum. However, if the question is posed, asthe invitation to craftmakers seductively and tantalisingly states,’ Why not

show your work in the same case as an object made in 2000BC? or hangout near a Picasso?’ then surely this invites us, the viewer to ask a number of questions - principally - Why?

It is the failure to adequately answer such questions that leads me to believe that the exhibition fails to realise a potential laden with opportunities and possibilities for a real dialogue between past and pres-ent makers. Unfortunately this failure to recognise or expose the pointsof contextual interest that could have given it a real frisson of excitementand edginess, leave the work simply and literally, only ‘side by side.’

One of these points and one of singular importance is the very criticalcontext of why historical or contemporary objects were or are nowmade.The Hunt collection like all such collections of archaic work speaksstrongly of patronage. Patronage predominantly from the Church, but also from the merchant classes of the times. It also speaks of a strongrelationship to everyday llfe.

As such there would have been a strong umbilical cord between patron,maker, object, audience and use, much much stronger than any contemporarybody of craft work could normally aspire to. Patronage in the context of the times meant working to a very different set of demands, most ofthem external, and strictly controlled within a cultural and social framework.

Today such constraints no longer exist. Much contemporary work is self-centred in that the primary parameters, the creative aesthetic andthe raison d’etre, resides with the maker alone.The ‘reading’ of suchwork therefore requires a different set of connections and responsesthan those required to ‘read’ works from earlier periods.The absence ofan exploration of these relationships, also of the parameters and changingnature of creative patronage and audience leave the viewer, not only withthe question why? but questioning the whole point of the exercise.Whatis expected of us ? How are we expected to respond to the work on show?

Craft & Criticism: A New Dialogue

Through the ‘Craft Community’ section of Stopress, the Crafts Council of Ireland are happy to facilitate a FORUM AREA for constructive debate amongst craft enthusiasts. The views in this forum are therefore the

views of individuals and are not necessarily the views of the Crafts Council of Ireland.

Side by SideSubject: Craft & Criticism Response by: Jim Dennison, Head of Design, School of Art & Design, Limerick IT

…”let’s get an intellectual debate going that can help all of us and move thecraft scene in Ireland forward! Looking forward to hearing your opinions”

Seamus Gill (Silversmith)

Craft & Criticism: A New Dialogue began in the July / August issue, 16, 2007. Silversmith, Seamus Gill introduced the

forum with a lecture he heard delivered by Bruce Metcalf on ‘Critical Writing on Crafts; Who Benefits?’ at SOFA

(Sculptural Objects & Functional Art), Chicago, 2006. Since then there has been a great response to this forum from

the wider craft community, including craftspeople, writers and academics. Below is the latest contribution and

response to the ‘Craft & Criticism’ forum.

Eleanor Swan


Craft Community Forum11

One of the inevitable consequences of placing contemporary work alongside work from earlier centuries is what I would call the‘resonancy gap.’

If one walks around the permanent Hunt collection one cannot fail to be affected by the resonancy of the pieces.That is - they all possess a history - a social, cultural, political, aesthetic, place in time etc. and it isthese resonances that heightens ones understanding, appreciation, andenjoyment of what we term ‘treasures’.

The current ‘Tutankhamun’ *exhibition on show in London is a classicexample of why resonance matters. Such exhibitions are not merelyexamples of high craftsmanship but offer us the opportunity to be enraptured, to enable us to respond to feelings and emotions that are not simply to do with the aesthetic.

Paul Valery the19C. French poet and critic once asserted that the aesthetic connection is only determined by context and that ‘theParthenon is only a small quarry of marble’ outside of the context of it’s time and function.

Contemporary work on the other hand very often has no ‘past ’ in thissense. It exists in its own time and place with an aesthetic that draws notupon resonance but upon an intellectual and emotional response to itsphysicality.Whilst Philip Rawson in his book ‘Ceramics’ (1971) believesthat over the course of our lives “We accumulate a fund of memorytraces based upon our sensory experiences, and that it is in the realm ofthese submerged memory traces that creative art exists”, if this is thecase and memory is a medium for channelling meaning, then the ‘reading’of such work requires an additional set of intellectual or emotionalinsights to those required for the ‘reading of works from earlier periods.

In the absence of this ‘reading’ capacity however, an uninformed public isleft simply with a qualitative valuation of technique and process measuredagainst their own experience.Appreciation of fine craftsmanship at thislevel then, becomes only a recognition of a process not of an aesthetic.

The best contemporary craft work possesses a particular ambiguity thatis either a conscious and deliberate consideration, or a sub-conscious and intuitive response by the maker. Such imputs imbue the piece with a set of visual clues or memory triggers that invite a questioning ratherthan passive response from the audience.This takes the form of an intellectual or emotional connection by drawing from one’s own submerged memory traces.

Such a questioning response then becomes both the vocabulary and language by which creative work is effectively ‘read and understood’.Thisambiguity may be of material, simulation, reference, process, or usage.Whatever form it takes, it then bridges the resonance gap I mentionedearlier. (In fact a number of contemporary pieces in the exhibition suchas Geraldine Grubbs ‘Black Vessel’ Liam Flynn’s ‘Barrel forms’ Joe Hogan’sbasket forms, do manage to rise above their contextual awkwardnesshere and evoke such memory traces) Other pieces on show probablyconvey similar responses, but in their own contextual environment outside of this particular exhibition.

This ambiguity I speak of then, is a very different kind of ambiguity thanthe one that springs from uncertainty or confusion of the translation of aconcept. One is a strength the other a weakness.

Because of these points, the principal criticism I have with the exhibitionis manifested in the title, ‘Side by Side’. Simply placing today’s objects inthe same gallery as much earlier artefacts sadly isolates them as anomalies.Even where they are notionally placed next to a point of particular reference, the contextual relationship is not explored. One had the feelingthat a considerable number of the pieces had been executed prior to any Hunt Museum connection and been simply put next to or in closeproximity to objects loosely similar, to try and convey some connection.

Unfortunately this did not and could not happen. If a tighter brief hadbeen given where craftsmen or women had been asked to produce apiece specifically drawing it’s references from objects within the collection,with a reference list that included such areas of exploration as patronage,use, appropriation, thematic concerns, etc. a dialogue, ambiguity and context could have been explored and cultivated which might have creatednot only searching questions but provoked a genuine and meaningful setof responses.

*Tutankhamun is on exhibition at the Millennium Dome from:15th November 2007 to 30th August 2008.

Jim DennisonHead of Design

School of Art and Design

Limerick Institute of Technology

Debbie Paul Caroline Schofield

To join the ‘Craft and Criticism’ debate/forum simply

send in your thoughts and opinions to [email protected]

and put ‘dialogue in the subject bar.

If you know of any resources that may be of interest to

this forum please e-mail them to the address above.


12News and Reviews

Craft @ Bloom 2008 Ireland’s largest national garden event 29th May - 2nd June 2008

CCoI expressions of interest for craft opportunities at Bloom 2008

Crafts Council of Ireland will host a selected craft area at Bloom2008 offering consumers the chance to buy the best qualitycraft, along with craft demonstrations, showing visitors the skill,creativity and craftsmanship that makes this sector so unique.

Bloom, which was launched last year to rave reviews, is Ireland’s largestnational garden event - boasting over 50,000 visitors in its first year alone.

Sponsored by Bord Bia, the event takes place over the June Bank Holidayweekend in the Phoenix Park and last year it included stunning showgardens,magnificent floral displays, interactive gardens, farmer’s market, indoor andoutdoor entertainment, fabulous food pavilion and family fun zone.

Expressions of interest sought for craftspeople who wish to exhibit ina selected craft area at Bloom 2008.And/or:

• Craftspeople who have large art pieces suitable for a craft trail• Or members of a guild/society that are interested in participating

in craft demonstrations.

Closing date for expression of interest is Friday 15th February 2008.

For further information contact:

Nicola Doran, Retail Programme Manager, Crafts Council of Ireland, CastleYard, Kilkenny T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected]

A Future in the Making Craft NI Conference20th February 2008 - Island Arts Centre, Lisburn

In February 2008 Craft NI will host its first conference ‘A Future in the Making’ will take place

on 20th February 2008 at Island Arts Centre.The conference will focus on developing of the

craft sector in Northern Ireland with champions and partners.

For more information contact:

Craft NI, www.craftni.org E: [email protected] T: 0044 (0)28 9032 3059

Craft NI - Champion for Craft in Northern Ireland

SOFA Chicago - November 2008

We are seeking a wide range of makers in all disciplinesto make submissions for consideration by an expert panel in March 2008. The Crafts Council Ireland (CCoI) is expanding the call beyond CCoI’s PORTFOLIO membersand offer this fantastic opportunity to all registered makers. Those interested should have exhibited work during the last three years.

The 15th Annual Exhibition of Sculptural Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) is the largest art fair in North America attracting over 100galleries, 1,000 artists and 35,000 visitors.The National Craft Galleryhas had a very successful presence at SOFA for the past two years.Weaim to build on our success in November 2008.

We are looking for makers who are interested in pursuing opportunitiesin the USA. As part of the SOFA programme CCoI offers an introductoryservice to American galleries.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 19thMarch 2008

For further information contact:Nuala McGrath T: 056 7761804 or visit our website www.ccoi.ie


News and Reviews13

Education Programme at Sculpture in the Parklands

As part of the Patrick Dougherty residency, Sculpture in the Parklands, in

collaboration with the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) will host “hands-on”

workshops for primary schools from 2nd - 6th June. These workshops will

provide an opportunity for craftspeople to work on site with children in the

creation of a series of temporary installations using willow and the natural

materials of the peatlands.

If you are interested in participating or learning more about this opportunity contact:

Amanda Walshe, T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected] Visit www.ccoi.ie

New Services for Craft Retailers Getting craft on retail shelves

Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) are offering the following supports to retailers who wish to work in partnership with CCoI to help increasetheir percentage of craft sales.

• Access to new makers and new product• Advice/mentoring for sales teams on the unique aspects of craft and on consumer trends/needs• Brand/merchandising support

We are developing an extensive database resource that can act as a source of new product and makers for the retailers we work with. So, if you are newto retail or are considering it for the first time, or you want to expand to new types of retail or are developing new product, then register your interest bysending your name, contact details, product type and list of existing retailers (if you have any) to [email protected]

Sculpture in the Parklands 2008Up-coming OpportunitiesSculpture in the Parklands in collaboration with the Crafts Council of Ireland would like to invite professional craftworkers to apply for the opportunity to

assist world renowned environmental artist Patrick Dougherty in the creation of a site-specific sculpture from 25th May - 15th June 2008.

The sculpture is inspired by the bogs and natural environment of Lough Boora in County Offaly and will be created from over 10 ton of willow. Dougherty states:

“I intend to build a walk through work which embodies momentum and the forces of nature. The sculpture will rise above the

grove of Alder trees and will include hallways and swirling chambers. This will be one of my largest works to date.”

Working with Dougherty will provide a great opportunity for craftspeople who are interested in developing large scale artworks, creating a new body of work or

working with a new medium.

To apply:Application information is available from the Crafts Council website. www.ccoi.ie or for further information contact: Emer Ferran, CCoI EnterpriseProgramme Manager T: 0567761804 E: [email protected]

For information on Patrick Dougherty please visit www.stickwork.net and www.sculptureintheparklands.com

Crafts Council of Ireland’sGoldsmithing & Pottery Design & Skills Course’s

Public Open Day Wednesday, 6th February 2008

The Crafts Council of Ireland is running the annual public Open Day for its Goldsmithing & Pottery Design & Skills Course’s on Wednesday, 6th February 2008 from 10am to 4pm.

For further information contact Amanda T: 056 7761804


Opportunities 14

Craft Enterprise & Trend Seminars @ 2008 Showcase 2008Events take place from the 19th - 23rd January 2008, in the Dodder Room, RDS

New Exhibitors Briefing Saturday 19th January 2008How to maximize your potential at Showcase. 5.30pm - 6.30pmGetting your PR right - Dealing with the press Helen Carroll.Presentation by Gallery shop owner and textile/ print ar tist, Fiona Turley.The Source Oppor tunity - Catherine Jordan.

Trend Seminar Monday 21st January 2008Presented by Michelle Lamb 8.00am - 9.00am

Trend Seminar & Workshop (students outside Dublin) Monday 21st January 2008Presented by Michelle Lamb 11.00am - 2.00pm

Trend Seminar & Workshop (students Dublin Colleges) Tuesday 22nd January 2008Presented by Michelle Lamb 9am to 11.30am

Meet the Buyer What is the buyer looking for in 2008. Tuesday 22nd January 2008Ciaron Conroy True potential examines what makes a buyer go to a show 1.00pm - 2.00pmand what are they hoping to buy..The Source Oppor tunity - Catherine Jordan.

Managing your order book Tuesday 22nd January 2008Advice from Helen Conneely, Celtic Roots 6.15pm - 7.15pm

Taking Stock What Next? Wednesday 23rd January 2008Exhibitors Debrief - discussion, advice, feedback. 8.00am - 9.00amFacilitated by Helen Conneely Celtic Roots

Research MissionsFinancial assistance towards visiting shows

If you want to research an event/show in 2008

and want to avail of assistance with costs, apply now

Closing date: 28th March 2008

For further information an application form go to:

www.ccoi.ie or contact Helen Loughran T: 048 30833605 E: [email protected]

Get inspired, read the reviews on www.ccoi.ieAlso visit the Resource Area of the CCoI website for listings

of Design Museums/Craft Fairs & Exhibitions in Europe.

Crafts Council of IrelandNetwork Support [closing date for applications 29th February 2008]

Financial support is available for organisations where the group is willing to match fund the costs of a specific project. It should be noted that the minimum number of craftspeople required to form a network or association is six.

Closing date for applications is 29th February 2008

For further information contact Mary Whelan T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected]

NOTICE for all GANS MEMBERS Guilds, Associations, Networks and SocietiesThe CCoI will facilitate two half-day GANS meetings on 6thMarch and 11th September in Kilkenny so please put this inyour diary.

For further information contact Emer Ferran T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected]


15 Opportunities

CCoI OPPORTUNITY DIARY DATES BY/ON/CURRENTLY/TBC*

Network Support by 29th February 2008

Sofa submissions by 19th March 2008

Research Missions by 28th March 2008

GANS meetings on 6th March 2008 & 11th September 2008

Seminar, Ecology, Mythology, Technology on May - June 2008 tbc

Farmleigh, Dublin

UP-COMING NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY (NCG) EXHIBITIONS (including Touring)

www.ccoi.ie NCG, Castle Yard, Kilkenny.

We'll Never Walk Alone (Kilkenny & Liverpool) on 8th March - 27th April 2008

Ecology, Mythology, Technology on May - June 2008 tbc

Farmley, Dublin

See also page 24

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR DATES 2008

Maison et Objet 25th - 29th January 2008 www.maison-objet.com

Collect, London 25th - 29th January 2008 www.craftscouncil.org.uk/collect

Spring Fair, Birmingham 3rd - 7th February 2008 www.springfair.com

Premiere Vision, Paris 19th - 22nd February 2008 www.premierevision.fr

Ceramic Art, London 29th February - 2nd March 2008 www.ceramics.org.uk

The Ireland Show Secaucus, New Jersey 19th - 22nd April 2008 www.irelandshowsecaucus.com

Pulse, London 1st - 3rd June 2008 www.pulse-london.com

Home & Gift Harrogate 13th - 16th July 2008 www.homeandgift.co.uk

Top Drawer, Autumn 14th - 16th September 2008 www.topdrawerautumn.com

SOFA Chicago 7th - 9th November 2008 www.sofaexpo.com

UP-COMING SHOWS IN IRELAND 2008

The Spring House and Garden Show, RDS, Dublin 7th - 9th March 2008

Art Ireland Spring Collection, RDS, Dublin 28th - 30th March 2008

Interior Design Show, RDS, Dublin 15th - 18th May 2008

Bloom, Phoneix Park, Dublin 29th May - 2nd June 2008

For more information on the above events: T: 056 7761804 or e-mail [email protected]

Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI)

Dates for your Diary *Please note: The March/April issue of Stopress will be

published on 14th March 2008. Please forward all

submissions by 15th February 2008.


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Studio/Retail Space to rent

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Cove Park Three-month

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Craft Shop Doolin,

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Café/restaurant famed for its home

cooking. Surrounded by its award

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private walks. Doolin Crafts Gallery

is featured in all the well-known

travel books and has a very loyal

following as we have specialised in

only Irish designed clothing and

crafts. Wonderful business

opportunity. For further details

please contact: Adrienne at


Féile na Tuaithe -

Turlough Park 2008

A Celebration of Irish Country Life

Today - Saturday 24th and Sunday

25th May 2008. Féile na Tuaithe is

looking for skilled crafts people to

participate in next year’s event. Over

12,000 people attended the 2007

event, making it one of the most

popular events of its kind in the

country. Selection criteria apply.

Participants must be members of

recognised networks. For further

information contact The Marketing

Department, National Museum

of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough

Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

T: 094 90 31773 or


Limerick Ceramic Works

are currently accepting submissions

for 2008-2009.The closing date for

applications for exhibitions is 31st

January 2008. This submission is

open for artists working in any

medium and can be for group, joint

or solo exhibitions. For further

information contact Gemma Dardis


New and exciting product

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STUDIO SPACE

FOR SALE

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Advertisements17

Maguire. For further information

contact T: 071 9853941

E: [email protected].

Wanted Craftspeople,

Sculptors, Artists, Potters to

exhibit in New Gallery opening in

prime location, over retail unit, in

Newbridge, Co, Kildare. Commission

basis. All work that is hand crafted is

required. For further information

contact E: [email protected]

Waterford Homecrafts

Co-op is looking for new members

to participate in their annual

exhibitions. For further information

contact Secretary Ann Camon

T: 051 852317 M: 086 6069699

Wanted 4 Artists/crafts-

people interested in being

part of a Community Arts

Project, in Lanesboro, Co

Longford. Studio 15 x 15 ft - very

reasonable rent, with Café and Craft

shop to the front of the workshop.

The project should be up and

running in 6 - 9 months. For

further information contact

T: 087 6306348 or 043 30873

West Kerry Craft Guild is

looking for new members.

To join our established co-operative

gallery in Main Street, Dingle. Only

quality handmade crafts accepted. A

great opportunity to develop and

market your product. For further

information contact Betty

T: 066 915624 or M: 086 1579392

START Magazine - available

on-line. The Winter issue of START

Magazine - arts and culture of the

South-East - now available

for download from

W: www.startmagazine.ie/

Professional mould and

model maker (MA graduates in

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For more information contact

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The Garden & Landscape

Designers Association

(GLDA) host the 12th annual

seminar at Astra Hall, University

College Dublin on Saturday 9th

February 2008. Entitled, Back To

the Future: Classic Influences on

Contemporary Design, the one day

event will feature presentations by

four of the world’s most creative

and dynamic designers. It is envisaged

that places will be booked up very

quickly. For further information

contact Annette McCoy

T: 01 294 0092 E: [email protected]

The Mill Theatre Gallery,

Dundrum Town Centre

is delighted to host WATER AND

ABSTRACTION by Mairead

deBlaca. The exhibition runs from

19th January - 14th February 2008.

Open Mon - Sat 10am-6pm.


Aoife O’Toole The Mill

Theatre T: 01 2969340


W: www.milltheatre.com

Reinventing Textiles - A

One Day Conference at

Colaiste Stiofan Naofa,Tramore

Road, Cork, 2nd February 2008,

9.30am to 5.00pm. Lecturers from

Britain and Ireland’s Leading Textile

Contemporary Artists Hand

Stitching & Embellishing • Print

• Weaving • Felt • Lectures

• Workshops. Full entrance fee: €75

(lunch not included. For further

information see website

www.corktextiles.com/conference.htm

Kozo studio workshopsfor

Spring 2008 Hand Papermaking

beginners & advanced,Textile Art

Workshop, Printmaking, Silk

Papermaking, Batik, Creative Willow

Course - Basket making. Bookings

are confirmed with €50 deposit sent

in advance. All fees include all art

materials and refreshments available

at the studio. KOZO Studio

Certificate - with reference from

tutors/artists - is provided on

completion of workshops. For

further information and bookings

please contact Tunde at Kozo

Studio and Gallery: T: 056 7793265


W: www.kozogallery.com

Exciting Workshops In

Hat Making & Millinery.

Have fun creating your very own

hat, bonnet or chapeau and learn

about the classic art of Millinery

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Westport based Milliner Lina Stein.


contact Lina T: 098 28449


W: www.linasteinmillinery.com

Hillview Alpacas, Hillview

Hse, Gorteen, Castlecomer,

Co Kilkenny Fibre Clinics

with Liz Barlow, ABFS Accredited

Breeder and BAS Judge.

26th April 2008 - open for every-

body interested in animal fibre and

the processing if it. Lots of hands-on

and a detailed tour around Hillview

Alpaca Fibre Processing Mini Mill.

28th April 2008 - Advanced Fibre

Clinic open for Alpaca breeder

and/or owners. Bring your fleeces

and we will guide you through

evaluation and sorting.The second

part of the clinic will focus on

mating your animals in order to

improve your herd’s fibre. Each

clinic costs €150.00 (excl.VAT)

including tea, coffee and refreshment

all through the day, light lunch and

detailed documentation, 9am till

4pm, full payment needed to secure

bookings (limited places) participants

of first clinic on 26th April 08 will

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PLACEMENTS/JOBOPPORTUNITIES

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

WORKSHOPS/COURSES

Advertisements 18


€50.00 discount when booking 2

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T: 086 8549858

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The West Cork Craft &

Design Guild is launching a

series of exhibitions and a new

improved professional website, to

celebrate its first decade of successful

networking and promotion.

Celebrations begin with a 10th

Anniversary Show curated by Sarah

Foster (Lecturer at Crawford Art

College) Dec. '07, at The West Cork

Arts Centre, Skibbereen, West Cork.

A film is also being commissioned

(Rob Bradstock) of the Guilds

members at work.The Guild is best

known for it's high standard of

craftsmanship and innovative design,

inspired by the creative energy of

the West Cork landscape. For

further information visit website

www.westcorkcraft.org

One-day Digital

Photography workshops

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shop on how to get the best from

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€75 - refreshments provided, lovely

lunches available at each venue. For

further information contact Ben

T: 027 66133 E: [email protected]

Hands on creative

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variety of locations in West Cork.


W: www.handsonwestcork.com

The Lisnavagh Timber

Project grows, sources, conditions

and supplies fully traceable home-

grown Irish hardwood timber, from

sustainable resources, to Ireland's

furniture makers and woodworkers.


contact: The Lisnavagh Timber

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Web Design - You take pride in

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Packaging - Wooden

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National Craft Gallery 20

As a result of another successful exhibition at SOFA, the

Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) will be showing in Chicago

again in November 2008.To follow is an overview of the Irish

presence at SOFA 2007 and its importance to heightening the

profile of Irish Craft and Irish Craftspeople.

The CCoI is dedicated to supporting and encouraging a vibrant collectors market. Along with US participation at SOFA there are a number of notablebuilding blocks to help develop the Collectors area, they are:

• Álainn the CCoI membership club for collectors of fine Irish Craft• Growing partnership with the Irish Arts Review and the recent Irish Craft

2007 supplement with their winter edition • CCoI’s Portfolio selection of some of Ireland's leading craftspeople

making work that is of an international standard and chosen by a panel of international experts

• The development of links to bring to Ireland, US collector groups

Showing at SOFA means being seen by the world's fine craft audience - all underone roof. Each gallery presents their most exciting designer makers and thework is of the highest standard of craftsmanship. Along with the artists, anybodywho is anybody is there. Influencers such as the critics, the writers, the curators.The 'gatekeepers' such as the private gallery owners and public museum directors of collections. Most importantly the collecting public are there tobrowse, to engage with galleries and to buy the emerging talent or the missingparts of their collection.

The CCoI had three jobs to do at SOFA.

• We sold the work of designer makers to collectors.• We sold the Irish craft story - excellence in workmanship, suberb touring

exhibitions and beautiful publications.• And we sold Ireland. Many attendees to the CCoI booth want to visit

Ireland and see the work for themselves.

Cornelia McCarthy,Collector Market Manager, Crafts Council of Ireland

The work of seventeen artists who feature in CCoI’s Portfolio has recentlyreturned from representing Ireland at one of the world’s most prestigious artfairs. Chicago’s Annual Exposition of Sculptural Objects & Functional Art (SOFAChicago) is one of the key international events for contemporary craft andapplied art. Over a three-day period, almost 35,000 visitors flock to Navy Pierto see work selected by leading international galleries and dealers.

“In 2007, Irish work to the value of $125,900 (€90,500) was sold”

No Irish Blues In Chicago…

‘Rocking Chaise’ by Joseph Walsh

‘In Aer’ installation by Joseph Walsh

Brian Kennedy delivering booth talk to SOFA VIPs



At the 2007 SOFA Irish craftsmanship was visible in many areas; primarily themain booth on the main aisle of the show and Raw Space (an exhibition spaceat the entrance to the VIP lounge). The group stand was gallery-style with theSOFA trademark white walls and simple plinths. Seventeen makers showed onthis shared space which was sensitively designed to showcase the work. All who visited the booth were impressed by the calm sophistication and almost spiritual feel to the space.

Appearance at the Raw Space area is by invitation only. SOFA invited JosephWalsh to make a special installation in this area so impressed were they withthe submission he made for SOFA. His 'In Aer' piece was very powerful - essentially it is an oak and glass table suspended from the ceiling with steelrods and cables. Weighing 500 kilograms it took eight people over 4,000 hoursto make.

The skeletal form of 'In Aer' combines structure and aesthetics in a minimalway. “This is a public viewing piece and is designed to be dramatic with the reaction of the viewer being part of the journey. Every component is there fora reason - nothing is hidden” says Joseph Walsh.

It’s appropriate that this event is held in America as the country has the largestand most competitive market for contemporary craft. Every year, American collectors spend $2.7 billion on craft. In 2007, Irish work to the value of

$125,900 (€90,500) was sold. This included glass pieces by Karl Harron,baskets by Joe Hogan, jewellery by Rachel McKnight and a stunning bespokechair by Cork furniture designer Joseph Walsh.

The biggest Irish sale of the event ($33,500) was furniture designer JosephWalsh’s ‘Rocking Chaise'. One of America’s most important collectors of contemporary art and craft John H. Bryan bought this piece for Crabtree Farm.A working farm on the shores of Lake Michigan, it houses a fine collectionBritish and American arts and crafts including a fine collection of JohnMakepeace furniture.

US Gallery interestSome of America’s most important galleries also asked to represent a numberof Irish craftspeople following their appearance at SOFA 2007: Glass artist KarlHerron, ceramicist Jane Jermyn, basket maker Joe Hogan, jewellers RachelMcKnight, Angela O’Kelly and Sonja Landweer and woodturners Liam Flynn andRoger Bennett are now certain to make an impact on the American collectorsmarket. Validation, if it was needed, for the ‘collectibility' of contemporary Irish craft.

Their work, and work by other leading Irish artists, is now available in galleriessuch as the del Mano Gallery in California, Snyderman Works in Philadelphia,William Zimmer Gallery in California, Forty Shades of Green Gallery in NorthCarolina, and New York’s Charon Kranson Fine Arts.

Also from IrelandFor those visitors to the event that wanted to know more about Irish craft,there were opportunities to hear about developments from a curatorial angle.A lecture was delivered by Audrey M. Whitty (Curator of Ceramics, Glass andAsian Collections, National Museum of Ireland). She outlined the substantialNational Museum collection of Irish contemporary applied arts focusing on

ceramics, glass, furniture, metalwork and jewellery and showed 72 slides in the50 minute lecture.The main part of her talk was on contemporary craft in thecollection and she also mentioned work by artists showing at SOFA. (See article pages 2 - 4). Her excellent talk and clear passion for seeing theMuseum's collection grow was infectious and many from the lecture made theirway immediately to the Irish booth to see the work.

Another Irish headline event was the curator talk by Brain Kennedy. Brian presented to key individuals an in-depth talk on the Irish booth. The audiencecomprising collectors, gallery owners, writers and representatives from theConsul General's office received a wonderful talk surrounded by the work ofthe Irish makers.

Woodturner Liam Flynn also presented at an important panel discussion. Hewas one of five woodturners discussing their inspiration, differences and currentwork in 'Five Perspectives in Wood'.

Demonstrations take place throughout the event and Emmet Kane (woodturner,Board member and ar tist showing with del Mano Gallery at SOFA) demonstrated on 2 occasions.

The Consul General in Chicago partnered the Crafts Council in hosting a VIPreception at SOFA. Invited guests included Chicago-based Irish business people, key SOFA organisers, galleries and collectors met by the Crafts Councilin 2006 and of course the Irish makers and their friends and families whoattended the event.

Numerous additional networking events and meetings were attended by Crafts Council staff and board representatives.

Many visitors to the Crafts Council of Ireland’s stand at SOFA expressed aninterest in traveling to Ireland to visit fine craft studios. An itinerary of selectedstudios is currently being developed and, in partnership with Tourism Ireland,this will be available to US collector groups, founders circles and specialist cultural tour operators.

Note Up-coming Opportunites:If you wish to show at SOFA 2008 - see page 12 of Stopress Opportunites.

If you wish to invite US Collector groups to your studio, please contact us inwriting letting us know that you are equipped to deal with a group of up to 20visitors. Please indicate that you have stock and staff on hand to handleenquiries. For further information contact Cormelia McCarthy (CCoI CollectorMarket Manager) T: 056 776804 or E: [email protected]

If you wish to apply for a research missions to see SOFA New York - May 29 - June 1 or SOFA Chicago Nov 7-9 (www.sofaexpo.com) see page 14 ofStopress - Opportunities.

There was also a strong international emphasis in 2007, with groundbreakingexhibitions from Europe, America and Korea.

The year stated strongly with Tradition Transformed: Contemporary Korean

Ceramics. With a ceramics tradition of over 5,000 years old, this enchantingexhibition recalled the traditional techniques used all those years ago,combined with the new influences and innovative methods used by theseinternationally celebrated artists.

Featuring both large and small scale pieces from as far back as the early 90s, this body of work spotlighted for visitors to the gallery the nature of contemporary ceramics in Korea.

The end of March saw one of the most exciting events of the year. Wild

Geese: The Irish in America celebrated the Irish roots of major Americanartists and most of those artists travelled to Kilkenny for the opening weekend.Curated by silversmith/sculptor Kevin O’Dwyer, this spectacular exhibitionbrought together, for the first time, descendants of the Wild Geese as well asIrish born artists working in America.

Artists included Paul Stankard, one of the god-fathers of the modern glassmovement, Sean O’Meallie whose brilliantly constructed wooden sculpturesowed as much to a background as a toy designer as to his Irish roots and JohnBoyd Smith, an artist and blacksmith, just like his great-great-great grandfatherPatrick Hoy who came to South Carolina from Ireland in 1804.

The opening weekend was a wonderful celebration of their Irish roots. Formany, it was their first time to visit Ireland and they brought along family andfriends for what turned out to be an emotional homecoming. All of the artistsalso took part in a highly successful seminar Making It In The USA. Held inKilkenny Castle, the seminar lasted two days and included a series of veryentertaining 'in conversation' sessions with Dr Frances Ruane.

Avantcraft…’this exciting initiative by the CCoI saw

leading European designers and craftspeople working

together to develop new and innovative products’

The international flavour continued in April and May with Avantcraft. This exciting initiative by the Crafts Council of Ireland saw leading European designers and craftspeople working together to develop new and innovativeproducts.This fantastic fusion of craft and design involved artists from Ireland,Portugal, France and Spain. The Irish element of Avantcraft was directed byinternationally renowned designer Pat McCarthy. His creative partnershipsincluded Jerpoint Glass with Triple Dee, Noel Whelan Furniture with LorraineBrennan and McKernan Scarves with Lucy Erridge.

Avantcraft began in 2005. A year later the new Irish products were unveiled to critical acclaim in Habitat’s flagship store in Dublin followed by their commercial launch at Showcase 2007. And the two year’s hard work finallycame to fruition in the gallery. Avantcraft the Exhibition also travelled toPortugal, France and Spain.

June and July saw the gallery celebrating a unique artfrom - quilt art. Quilt Art20 was a touring exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of a remarkableartistic collective. This group of 22 artists from Europe and America includesome of the world’s most prominent practitioners. Thanks to their extraordinary skills, the quilt is now at the forefront of contemporary textileart. Each individual has a distinctive approach and visitors to the galleryexplored the wonderful mix of abstract and thought-provoking ideas, realisedwith an ever-changing variety of surface techniques.

Meanwhile in Gallery 2, Seomra featured Irish and innovative work for the interior. This exhibition, showing one-of-a-kind contemporary furniture anddecorative objects, had just returned from a successful outing in Paris. The stylish and beautifully crafted pieces included bespoke furniture by JosephWalsh and Sasha Sykes, glass work by Michael Ray and Karl Harron and ceramics by Sara Flynn and Peter Scroope.

‘The graduate exhibition is always a great opportunity for

visitors to see a full range of work by the stars of tomorrow’

Next up was the annual graduate showcase.This year, it was the opportunityfor graduates of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s internationally renowned jewellery course. The graduate exhibition is always a great opportunity for visitors to see a full range of work by the stars of tomorrow. It is also an opportunity for the graduates to showcase their pieces in Ireland’s foremostgallery of contemporary craft. The Goldsmithing and Jewellery Design andSkills Course is the only course of its kind in the country. For two intensiveyears, a select group of students are trained in the age-old skills of mastercraftsmen. Combining these skills with fresh, experimental designs, these youngartists made some spectacular jewellery.

Review 2007



Wild Geese Exhibition - Sean O'Meallie

The National Craft Gallery’s year round exhibitions

programme showcases the confidence, skill and talent

of Irish makers.And 2007 was no different: From a graduate

show highlighting a new generation of artists to a lifetime

achievement exhibition honouring a pioneer of Irish

ceramics, the gallery provided a wide range of inspirational

artists the opportunity to show their work.

Seomra - Michael Ray

Kilkenny Arts Festival always sees some of the most important exhibitions ofthe year, and this year the National Craft Gallery held its first ever lifetimeachievement solo exhibition. A Life in Colour traced the remarkable career ofceramicist John ffrench. Coveted by collectors the world over, ffrench’s stunningceramic works are instantly recognisable for their distinctive bright colours andunusual shapes.

It was appropriate that this exhibition took place in Kilkenny, as it was therethat ffrench did his earliest Irish work. He introduced a new and exciting modernist style of pottery into Ireland in the 1950s and since then new vessels and dishes covered with brightly coloured patterns have continued topour forth from this inspirational artist. A Life in Colour was expertly curatedby Peter Lamb.

‘The Light Fantastic celebrated the traditional art form

of Irish Stained Glass Art’

Across the arch in Gallery 2,The Light Fantastic celebrated the traditional artform of Irish Stained Glass Art. Focusing on the use of stained, painted andetched glass in an interior setting, visitors to the gallery were amazed at justhow contemporary this art form can be.

The Light Fantastic was curated by Mary Boydell, President of the Glass Societyof Ireland, and Audrey Whitty, Curator of Applied Arts at the National Museumof Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks. This exhibition will tour to the United States and will visit the National Museum towards the endof 2008.

The winter saw Ecology, Mythology,Technology take over both galleries.TheCrafts Council of Ireland asked designer/makers to collaborate with leadingIrish architects.Together, they examined how our lifestyles will change over thenext decade and how we can continue to produce new buildings withoutharming the environment.The galleries were full of wonderful designs craftedfrom recycled materials, indigenous woods and organic materials from renewable sources. Curated by Brian Kennedy EMT featured the work of 21designer/makers who collaborated with Solearth Architecture, architectDominic Stevens and Burdon Craig Dunne Henry Architects.

This exceptionally strong exhibitions programme in Kilkenny was complemented

by an exciting touring programme. Seomra had its first outing in La GalerieSema in Paris while St Patricks’ Day was celebrated in style as the gallery presented an exclusive selection of contemporary Irish craft to thousands ofvisitors in Leicester Square in London.

The Hunt Museum in Limerick once again featured on the itinerary.This timethe prestigious museum played host to Side by Side, an exhibition which placedhigh end contemporary craft alongside one of Ireland’s greatest collections ofart and antiquities.

America is the world’s biggest market for high-end

contemporary craft and, once more, they welcomed

the Irish in with open arms.

And the Crafts Council of Ireland travelled to Chicago for the second year running to take part in the 14th Annual International Exposition of SculpturalObjects & Functional Art (SOFA). America is the world’s biggest market forhigh-end contemporary craft and, once more, they welcomed the Irish in withopen arms. Two prominent figures in the contemporary art scene at homewere invited to speak at the event. Audrey Whitty, Curator of Applied Arts atthe National Museum of Ireland, gave a key lecture on the Museum’s impor-tant collection of contemporary applied arts.And exhibitor and leading wood-turner, Liam Flynn, was selected as a panelist for another key lecture organisedby the Collectors of Wood Art.

Irish artists also made major sales in Chicago and, most encouragingly, some ofthe country’s most important galleries asked to represent a number of the visiting Irish craftspeople: Glass artist Karl Harron, ceramicist Jane Jermyn,basketmaker Joe Hogan, jewellers Rachel McKnight, Angela O’Kelly and SonjaLandweer and woodturners Liam Flynn, Roger Bennet and Emmet Kane arenow certain to make an impact on the American collectors market.Already plans are underway for SOFA 2008.


23 National Craft Gallery

The Light Fantastic - Peadar Lamb Ecology, Mythology & TechnologyAnne Harrington Rees

Contemporary Korean CeramicsKim Jin Kyoung

A life In Colour - John ffrench


All notices and advertisements are published in Stopress for general information purposes only,at the risk of the advertiser and at the discretion of the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI). CCoImake no representations or warranties about any of the information contained in any notice oradvertisement and accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in a notice or advertisement.Advertisements in Stopress do not indicate endorsementby CCoI. It is the responsibility of the reader to check that goods and services are describedfully and accurately.

CCoI expressly excludes liability for direct or indirect consequential loss or damage which mayarise in respect of Stopress or purchase of the goods and services.

CCoI does not accept any responsibility for or necessarily endorse the views expressed by thirdparty contributors to Stopress.

All copyright, database rights, trade mark design rights and any other intellectual property rightswhatsoever in Stopress are, owned by and the property of CCoI.

Crafts Council of Ireland, Castle Yard, Kilkenny t: 353 56 7761804 f: 353 56 7763754e: [email protected] www.ccoi.ie

FOR NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY NEWS TURN TO PAGE 20

The copydate for March/April 2008,Stopress is February 16th 2008.Publication date is 15th March 2008.

Advertising in Stopress is free and is welcomed.Submissions for ar ticles fromcraftspeople and those interested in craftare also always welcome - please contact:

Communications Dept.Crafts Council of Ireland t. 056 7761804 e:[email protected]

While every care has been taken in thecompilation of this Stopress, the publishercannot take responsibility for errors or omissions.

Upcoming Exhibitions - National Craft Gallery 24

Highlights from the ‘National Craft Gallery’s 2008 exhibition programme include the following:

SPRINGPortfolio:We’ll Never Walk AloneAn exhibition spanning two cities. Some of Ireland’s most collectible craftspeople are paired with leadingartists from the Northwest of England.This cultural event celebrates the strong links between Ireland andLiverpool.This exhibition runs in parallel with a show at the Bluecoat Gallery in Liverpool.

SUMMEREuropean BasketsTurning the traditional basket into a contemporary collector’s piece.This exhibition features functional andsculptural work by Europe’s most important basketmakers. Curated by Joe Hogan and Mary Butcher.

Crafts Council of Ireland Graduate ShowCutting edge ceramics work by graduates of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Pottery Design and Skills Course.

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For further information on the National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, Kilkenny. T: 056 7761804 E: [email protected] W: www.ccoi.ie

The National Craft Gallery 2007 opening times are: January - March: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm (Closed Sunday)

April - December: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm

AUTUMNImage of LongingHonouring the inspirational. Leading artists create new work for those that have inspired them. Laureates include social crusaders, cultural icons and artistic pioneers.

RDS PrizewinnersShowcasing the winners from the RDS National Crafts Competition.The best of both established and emerging Irish makers.

WINTEREmerging MakersThe National Craft Gallery opens its doors to a new generation of artists. Exciting young craftspeople from all disciplines showcase their work in the Crafts Councilof Ireland’s flagship exhibition space.

To get a copy of the National Craft Gallery programme, contact the gallery (see details below).

The National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny

Stopress, CCoI January/February 2008

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