Glass Highlights from Sculpture in Context 2015

Louise Murphy - Arderin

If you have not ventured to Glassnevin this autumn to see the gardens in all of their glory, this is the time to do so. Once again talented glass artists have made themselves known at the Sculpture in Context exhibition at The National Botanic Gardens in Glassnevin. This year’s exhibition had the highest amount of entries to date. It was a challenge for the judicators to choose just 160 of artworks from 384 submissions. Congratulations to all artists who have participated in Irelands largest and most prestigious annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. Here is just a glimpse of works from this year’s show. (All photographs by Karl Jordan).

George Walsh - Spirit of the Harvest

Classically trained stained glass artist George Walsh shows two exquisitely made pieces Fishermen, (painted and fused glass) and Spirit of the Harvest, (Painted Antique Glass) greeting you as you enter the gallery space. 

Also in the gallery is some emerging talent from NCAD glass student Louise Murphy. Arderin, is a sculpted mountainscape that displays the reflective and optical qualities of shot glass. Just beginning her final degree year, this is the first time Louise has shown in this exhibition. 

Gwyn Grace - Sundew Sparkle

There are quite a few familiar names in this year’s exhibition: It is exciting to see the work of recent NCAD graduate Gwyn Grace, this year returning with Sundew Sparkle (cast bronze, glass and bog oak). 

Sinead Brennan - Gone to Pot

Sinead Brennan, GSoI board member and Waterford the Glass City project coordinator is showing some beautiful hot sculpted pieces in a mini installation, Gone to Pot. Both artists’ works this year are finely displayed in the gallery window directly in front of Whole world in your Hands, a piece by Beth Newman Maguire (bronze and Cavan Crystal).

Whole world in your Hands, a piece by Beth Newman Maguire

Another returning exhibitor in the gallery, Dublin artist Eva Kelly shows her vibrant and colourful wall mounted glassworks ‘Oranges and Lemons’. Last but not least, before we venture outside, Willie Foley shows Gilded Cage made from glass and steel.

Eva Kelly - Oranges and Lemons 

Willie Foley - Gilded Cage

Out in the gardens don’t forget to stop and smell the Deise Daisies by William Harvey made with glass and bronze.  

Deise Daisies - William Harvey

Mags O’Dea is dressing up the trees again (you might remember her award winning glass piece from 2013 so we thought we'd bend the rules and mention her again).Another recent graduate from the glass department at NCAD, she is currently studying an MA in sculpture. Mags’ Burlesque (coloured waxes and textiles) can be also found as you venture through the gardens. 

Mags O'Dea - Burlesque 

Of course, there are over one hundred more pieces to be found as you explore the exhibition nevertheless I hope we have given you a showcase of this year’s glassy entries.

Be sure to check out Sculpture in Context 2015 at The National Botanical Gardens, which will run until 16 October 2015. Admission is free and it's a great visit for all the family to enjoy. Opening times are 9-5 weekdays and 10-6 weekends and bank holidays. Free tours of the exhibition every Tuesday 10.30am - 11.30am and every Saturday 3pm - 4pm. Full programme of all the artists and works is available at the reception. More details and contact info see their website. 

Written by: Louise Murphy

Photographer: Karl Jordan

(Thank You to Jackie Ball for your help!)

RDS National Craft Awards 2014

This year the Glass Society of Ireland were proud to be able to sponsor a prize at the RDS National Craft Awards. The GSoI Ireland sponsored prize was €300 this year and was won by Sadhbh Mowlds a recent graduate of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Sadhbh's main interest is in blown glass and she is travelling to Berlin Glas EV this summer to hon her skills. We were delighted to be able to provide some support for this young artists to continue with her craft. Congratulation Sadhbh and we look forward to hearing how you get on in Berlin - keep in touch!

In the main glass category was awarded to Denis Brown (who also was awarded for his work in the calligraphy and lettering). His layered glass panels were created at his studio in Sandyford. For more information on Denis you can visit his website HERE 

We were also happy to see many familiar faces that got selected for the exhibition which will be open for the duration of the Horse Show and will then travel to this year's City of Culture, Limerick and will be on display at the Hunt Gallery. Those selected for the exhibition in the catagory of glass were: Rose Sinclair Doyle, Eva Kelly, Denis Brown, Sadhbh Mowlds and Mc Gonigle Glass Studio.

Eva Kelly with her beautiful
pate de verre collar

Rose Sinclair student at NCAD
entering her final year in 2014

We hope that next year we will see even more entries into the glass category!

For a full list of this years awards click HERE

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 

Boyd Sugiki & Lisa Zerkowitz: Lectures on personal practice

Apologies for the slow down on blog post in the last few weeks, I have been away in Scotland but am returning soon and will get lots of news and articles up ASAP! In the mean time you may like to get your glass fix at this talk at the National College of Art and Design:

Jeremy Lepisto at the National College of Art and Design

The Glass Society of Ireland was delighted to attend Jeremy Lepisto’s talk at the National College of Art and Design on Tuesday. He is very open about his work both conceptually and technically which made for a fascinating talk.

Lepisto grew up in the glass capital of America, Toledo, Ohio. This industrial setting has made a huge impact on his aesthetic. Looking at his body of work you can see hard architectural lines as well as iconic structure such as his water towers. These visual influences are only one part of the narrative which resonates from his childhood into his present day life.

The work ethic in the family was strong and Lepisto himself worked from an early age. He spoke fondly of his family and specially his Grandfather ‘Pops’. Lepisto tells of how his Grandfather took great pride in his work and believed “a firm foundation is the key to a successful structure”. This sentiment has left its mark and this can be seen not only in the care and quality of the art works Lepisto produces, but also in the images he showed of his immaculate workspaces.

Lepisto describes his work as self portraits, each one reflecting his current situation and how it relates to his present environment. In doing this he creates a body of work which encompasses both the banality and the complexity of life simultaneously.

This work, inspired by a sense of place and strong relationship with the visual experiences available in the United States, came up against a challenge when Lepisto and his wife made the decision to move to Australia. Away from his support network and the landscapes which appear as such an integral part of his early work Lepisto had to tackle his art from new angles.

The most recent series, the container series, looks at transition and how life in one location can be packaged and moved another location. The lack of imagery in this series stems from a concern about appropriation of Australian vernacular architecture. This landscape, not yet ingrained in Lepisto sense of self, perhaps in time will begin to creep into new work. The auto biographical element in the work is strong and Lepisto is very open about the events which inspired the works.

 In an earlier series building blocks the pieces can be moved to form double meanings. In one position the images build from the edges into a cityscape, arranged in their second configuration to buildings start at the edges of the work and fade into a blank space in the centre. Lepisto explained how this series was made in a period where he and his wife where living in different locations. He drew our attention to the position of two small post boxes in the imagery and the piece changed from a clever puzzle to an eloquent expression of the pain of being apart and the joys of being reunited.

Lepisto’s practice is visually very beautiful and would be pleasing as studies of environment alone. However, it is the ability to produce subtle meanings in the works which push them to a new level of significance.

For More Info on Jeremy's work click HERE

by Fiona Byrne

RESEARCH SEMINAR AT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND – CALL FOR PAPERS

The National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History is holding a research seminar on Saturday 16th February 2013 and are currently welcoming papers from researchers, historians, and practicing artists working on any aspect of the decorative arts and history collections to participate. Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words.

E: eobrien@museum.ie

GLASS SOCIETY OF IRELAND COMMITTEE REFORMATION – APPLICATIONS INVITED, IRL

The Glass Society of Ireland provides a network for makers, collectors, students, historians, writers, and enthusiasts in the field of contemporary glass practice. The Society acts as a communication tool, offering people news on glass and related fields. We also hold lectures with glass practitioners and organise larger events every number of years.

As part of the ongoing development of the volunteer-based organisation, the Glass Society of Ireland is currently enlisting members for the reformation of its committee. Each position will be held for a two year period.

The Glass Society of Ireland welcomes expressions of interest from applicants across the country as we venture to build on the Society’s existing objectives and to expand our community and audiences.

The positions available are:

Treasurer
(Financial accountability)

Education Officer
(Co-ordinating, facilitating, & developing Glass Society of Ireland events)

Student Representative
(Liaising between Committee and student bodies)

Membership Co-ordinator
(Building strong relationships and recruiting members)

Development Officer
(Grant application writing)

Media Communications Officer
(Sending fortnightly bulletin and updating blog & social media sites)

To apply, please email your CV and a brief statement explaining which position you are interesting in taking by 31st August 2012.

E: glasssocietyofireland@gmail.com
W: glasssocietyofireland.blogspot.com

EMER LYNCH – 2012 AA2A ARTIST AT UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

In January 2012, glass artist Emer Lynch will travel to the University of Sunderland to participate in their Artists’ Access to Art Colleges programme. Here, she will develop her work in their Architectural Glass department. She will act as artist, mentor and speaker, and will give a presentation on her work on 17th January 2012. Updates about her experiences at the University of Sunderland and photographs showing the progression of her work will be posted on her AA2A blog: http://aa2a.biz/pg/profile/emer

W: www.facebook.com/Emer.Lynch.Glass

KAREN DONNELLAN ANNOUNCED AS NICHE AWARDS FINALIST

Glass artist Karen Donnellan has recently been named as a 2012 glass finalist for the Niche Awards. Sponsored by Niche magazine, the Niche Awards program began in 1989 to celebrate excellence and innovation in American and Canadian fine craft. Artists are recognized in professional and student divisions.

E: erinh@rosengrp.com
W: http://www.nicheawards.com/category/2012-finalists/student-2012-finalists/glass-student-2012-finalists/
W: www.karendonnellan.com

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS

With a new government in place, the National Campaign for the Arts continues its work to maintain Arts funding. For more information on what's going on right now and how to get involved, visit:

W: www.ncfa.ie

GET INVOLVED IN THE NCFA'S NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

The National Campaign for the Arts is organising a National Day of Action for arts and culture
on Friday 17 September. On this day art workers in every constituency around the country
will meet their local TD. Amidst a nationwide media campaign, they will discuss with their local
representatives the fundamental importance of the arts to Ireland’s economic recovery.

You can get involved.

- Join the arts workers group where you are registered to vote
- As part of this group, write to your TDs requesting a meeting on Friday 17 September
- Take part in the meetings and events on the day

In addition every constituency is putting together a list of people who are registered to vote in that
constituency and who work in the arts (even if your work is based in another constituency). This
is a powerful tool when meeting TDs and Councillors. Jobs in their constituency matter! Be sure
to give the constituency organiser your address so we have an accurate constituency database.

For more information, visit:

W: www.ncfa.ie

VISUAL ARTISTS IRELAND APPEAL FOR RETENTION OF AN ARTS MINISTER IN THE CABINET

The following is a message from Visual Artists Ireland:

The current uncertainty caused by the early retirement of the Minister of Arts, Sport & Tourism is a cause for concern. We have looked for clarification and confirmation that there will be a replacement minister in place in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle. We haven’t been able to get a definite response on that. ! !

For this reason we ask that you join us in making contact with your local government representative and ask that they lobby for the retention of an Arts minister at the Cabinet table.
We suggest that you personalise the following paragraph with details of the importance that you place on the role of having the arts represented in cabinet.
"In the forthcoming reshuffle, the government must show its commitment to the arts by the appointment of a Minister of Arts, Sport & Tourism to replace outgoing Minister Cullen"
You will find a list of Dail members here

We are keeping the message simple, and encourage you to add some personal lines as well.
Many thanks for your continued support of Visual Artists Ireland.
Noel Kelly
Director
Visual Artists Ireland
W: www.visualartists.ie

ELKE WESTEN: UPDATED WEBSITE

Glass artist Elke Westen has updated her website with recently completed work. Take a look to see what she's been working on lately:
W: http://www.elkewesten.com

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS: POST BUDGET UPDATE

Following the Government's budget of 7th December, the National Campaign for the Arts have issued a press statement which you can read at the website below. Overall ,arts cuts were not as severe as had been feared, and both Culture Ireland and the Irish Film Board have been retained. For more information, visit:

W: http://www.ncfa.ie

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS DELEGATION MEETS WITH MINISTER MARTIN CULLEN

A delegation from the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) met with Martin Cullen TD, Minister for the Arts, Sport and Tourism last week on Wednesday 25 November 2009 to discuss the impact that further cuts to arts funding would have on the sector in advance of the impending Budget 2010.

The delegation comprised of Tania Banotti of Theatre Forum, Sarah Glennie of the Irish Film Institute, Gerry Godley of the Improvised Music Company and Fiach Mac Conghail of the Abbey Theatre also called on Minister Cullen to bring the demands of the NCFA to the Cabinet. In support of the NCFA's campaign the delegation presented the Minister with a petition signed online by over 10,000 people in just two weeks. The National Campaign for the Arts is lobbying for the retention of Culture Ireland and the Irish Film Board, the maintenance of existing levels of arts funding for the Arts Council and continued full representation of the arts at senior cabinet level.

The National Campaign for the Arts is proudly supported by the Glass Society of Ireland, and the society will continue to show its support into the new year.

W: www.ncfa.ie

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS LAUNCHES PETITION TO GOVERNMENT

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) has organised a petition to Government to ensure that the arts are on national and local government agendas, and the Glass Society of Ireland has joined the campaign. To find out more about the demands of the NCFA and to sign the petition, please visit the website listed below. Please note that 10,000 signatures are Urgently Needed on the petition by the 27th November 2009, when the petition will be presented to Minister Martin Cullen.

W: www.ncfa.ie