RDS Christmas Craft fair 2014 - The Glass Edit

It’s all over now but I was delighted to get out to the RDS Craft Fair last weekend for both Christmas shopping and GSoI journalistic reasons. Maybe I was just more attentive but there seemed to be more glass on offer than there was the last year I attended in 2012.

Word amongst the stalls was generally quite positive, there seems to be more buyer confidence this Christmas than in recent years and  I was told by many that weekend was especially good for sales.

Here’s  the lowdown on all the lovely traders I had a chat with:  

First up was Terrence McSweeney from Kerry Crafted Glass. I had met Terry before once at NCAD and once at an RDS Craft fair from Christmases past - He's a yearly staple at this stage, generally to be  found in the main hall along the perimeter.  All of Kerry Crafted Glass is made using recycled glass and his priduct range covers, lamps, mirrors, all kind of table wear and decorative ornaments. 

Tara Crystal Chandeliers: Here again we see more of the former Waterford Crystal employees that are putting their long earned skills to use. Tara Crystal specialise in bespoke lighting and occasionally do other commissions such a trophies. All their woks uses traditional Irish lead crystal for brilliant clarity and optics. 

 

Jonathan Ball: Jonathan is an artist and craftsman who described himself to me as being 'into too many processes'. His primary materials are glass, metal and wood. Glass is the newest of his passions, having recently graduated from the glass programme at Edinburgh College of Art.  Amazingly Jonathan only set up his new glass studio in Leitrim this September and has managed to produce the huge quantity of work he had on show in a few short months. 

 

Catherine Keenan's stall had a beautiful display of her both her jewellery and her decorative sculptures. Her colourscape necklaces and matching earnings were doing particularly well and were also featured in The Gloss magazine last week. 

 

 Jerpoint Glass is another yearly staple at the RDS and was looking delicious always with a great variety of colourful vessels and also some decorative pieces. Jerpoint Glass is a family business in Kilkenny started by Keith and Kathleen in 1997 which now delivers to customers worldwide. The new Zest Collection pictured below, was particularly eye-catching.

I didn't get a chance to speak to Ruzica Ruane of Cadenza Glass Beads because she was too busy with customers which can only be a good thing but I think this was her first year at the RDS. Ruzica's lampworked beads create beautiful statement jewellery pieces and if you're interested in leanring some of her techniques she also offers workshops for small groups at her lovely custom built studio in Dun Laoghaire. 

Some more glass jewellery - kiln-formed this time - from Shards of Design . Based in Dundrum in Dublin and operated by Fergus Quearney, this company had lots of playful fused glass jewellery, decorative wall pictures and clocks.

I had a great chat with Richard Parish who's been working with fused glass for a number of years now from his studio in Edenderry, Co Offaly.Richard was mostly selling decorative Christmas pieces at the RDS but he also works to commission on architectural pieces and special awards. 

Some more glassy exhibitors I didnt have a chance to talk to were Agnes Preece Stained Glass Lamps, Celtic Heritage Kinsale and Rainbow Stained Glass. 

Well done to all the exhibitors and we hope you all had great successes from your time at the RDS. 

PS: Also on display over the 5 days were the award winning works from the RDS Craft Awards 2014 - Here's some photography that does them no justice, but it was great that so many people got the opportunity to see them - congratulations again Dennis and Sadhbh! 

Dennis Brown - calligraphy on glass, winner in both the RDS Glass and RDS Calligraphy categories 

Sadhbh Mowlds 'Into the witches eye' - winner of the GSoI award 2014

Written by Meadhbh McIlgorm
GSoI Media and Communications Officer 

GLASS GALORE! @Sculpture in Context,2013

Sculpture in Context - a must see event on the Dublin art calendar.

Set up in 1985 by sculptors who wanted to create exhibition space outside the normal white-cube gallery, Sculpture in Context now sees the grounds, ponds and glasshouses of the Botanic Gardens transformed each September into the biggest and most prestigious outdoor exhibition in Ireland.

      Sticky Bog Sundew - Gwyn Grace                        Vessels (of Remembrance) -  Alison Lowry 

This year over 150 artists from Ireland and abroad are exhibiting their work. 

Application is open to everyone and the successful applicants are selected by a panel of judges which changes annually. Thanks to this very democratic selection process there is always a great variety of entrants ranging from students to established artists and together working in almost every medium imaginable. 

The packed opening night reception

We know that we’re ever so slightly biased here at GSoI but as in this case the figures speak for themselves - Irish glass artists really held their own in the Gardens this year. 

There were 12 notable glass pieces amongst the collection from artists;

Karen Donnellan

 Naomi Draper

 Gwyn Grace 

Jesse Gunther,

Eve Kelly

Paivikki Kolehmainen (Finland) 

Alison Lowry

 Charlene McFarland

 Meadhbh McIlgorm 

Kira Myer

Sadhbh Mowlds 

Mags O’Dea.  

Further more, 2 out of the 3 Sculpture in Context Awards for large outdoor works of distinction in any medium were awarded to NCAD glass students: Jesse Gunther for his piece 'Desert Ophidians' (on view in the cactus house) and Mags O'Dea for her installation 'Tree Dressings' (a site-specific glass installation on a particularly weathered tree). Both Mags and Jesse received €500 each - well done guys! 

'Tree Dressings' - Mags O'Dea

The delighted Mags O'Dea with her prize

Both pieces were a big hit with the guests on opening night - watch this space - one of them could well be winning the prize for the most popular sculpture at the end of the exhibition in October.  

'Desert Ophidians' - Jesse Gunther 

The exhibition runs from September 5th - October 18th. Full programme of artists available in the visitor centre. 

Garden opening hours: 
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm

Admission Free, Car Park €2

Karren Donnellan - Present Moment Reminder

 A visit to this exhibition is a lovely day out for all the family and a chance to see some very talented artists work outside the often intimidating setting of a gallery exhibit. 

So be sure to take a very cultured and colourful stroll through the Botanic Gardens before October 18th. 
We promise you won't be disappointed. 

Artists Michelle McDermott, Gwyn Grace, Mags O'Dea and Tara Butler-Frey
the enjoying opening night celebrations

Written by: Meadhbh McIlgorm 

GSoI Nov Events 2013

So we have had a very busy year so far at GSoI but its not over yet! In Nov we will be having  a series of exciting events in both Dublin and Cork - workshops, an exhibition and a conference with a fantastic line up of speakers...

 Here's a little taster so you can be sure to put us in your dairy!

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

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

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

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

Seliena Cloyle at CultureCraft

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

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

Participating artists with the mayor of Derry

Here's a full list of participating artists: 

Glass work from Scott Benefield @CultureCraft

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

Nigel Cheeny's  printed and embroidered
tape measure @CultureCraft

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

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

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

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

For further information about the exhibition please contact:

culturecraftinthecity@gmail.com

londonstreetgallery@gmail.com

Web-links:  

http://www.londonstreetgallery.org

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

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

Written by: Meadhbh McIlgorm 

Mud & Sand at Gallery Zozimus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written by Meadhbh McIlgorm 

Glass Society of Ireland - Mission Statement

The Glass Society of Ireland is made up of people whose interests or professions significantly relate to the specific material of glass.  Drawing from diverse creative and enterprising fields including art, design, craft, research, collecting and the historical context, we are a volunteer-run organisation whose interest in glass provides us with a mutual cause for conversation.

 It is the primary objective of the Glass Society of Ireland to continue to support established practitioners in Glass whilst fostering new talent. We also aim to create opportunities to communicate with each other and to engage with new audiences. This is achieved through a number of platforms: exhibition-making, holding events such as conferences, workshops and public talks, networking through social media and information distribution through our website, blog and monthly e-bulletin. Through these activities, professional connections are established both nationally and internationally.

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:

New Year - New Team

We hope that all out members had a wonderful 2012 and we would would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support throughout the year. We hope that 2013 will be a great year for glass!
We have recently had a change of staff and would like to introduce you to the new team:

    

CHAIR PERSON: Debbie DawsonDebbie has been working in stained glass for over 20 years. Her work is held in both public and private collections. She is passionate about glass and has worked as a curator and an educator. We are delighted to have her as our new chair for 2013.http://www.debbiedawsonstainedglass.com/

    

VICE CHAIR: Deirdre RogersDeirdre has worked with both Cavan Crystal and Waterford Crystal while building up a wide and varied portfolio. She set up her own contemporary glass studio in 1996 under the name Various Vessels. She now works under her own name and has received many awards for her work and has exhibited throughout Ireland and abroad.http://www.deirdrerogers.com/

    

TREASURER: Gerlinde KuglerGerlinde is located in the Garden of Ireland in Co. Wicklow. She is a glass artist whos work incorporates colour, light, texture and where possible smell and sound. As well as making her own work she runs a series of workshops sharing her skills with others.http://www.gerlinde.ie 

     

EDUCATION OFFICER: Dr. Caroline MaddenDr. Caroline Madden is an educator/artist who teaches at the National College of Art and Design and serves on the Executive Committee of the Glass Art Society.  Madden received a PhD in Educational Leadership from Barry University, Florida (2010); an MFA in 3D Sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art, Boston (1992) and a BA (Hons.) in 3D Design from Stourbridge College of Technology (1987). She was Professor of Art at Jacksonville University (1992-2007) where she co-founded and directed the Glass Institute of the Southeast (1997-2000); directed the Governors High School Summer Program for Gifted and High Achieving Students (2001, 2003); mentored students presenting at the annual  National Conference for Undergraduate Research.  Madden has work in the collections of the National Museum of Ireland, the Ulster Museum, Belfast, and completed public works Lyrical Lighthttp://www.glassart.org/CarolineMadden.htmlhttp://www.culturalcouncil.org/gallery/lyrical-light

    

EDUCATION OFFICER: Emma BourkeEmma graduated with Honours from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and where she learned the techniques of glassblowing and hot sculpting. Self-taught in the technique of flameworking, she was able to translate these previously acquired skills to create work on the torch. Through extensive research and through trial and error she has taught herself how to create intricate flameworked flowers such as snow drops and daisies. The transparency of clear glass is intentionally maintained in order to heighten the ambiguity of an organic ecosystem. Adding a little colour to some petals allows each piece to become characteristically unique like the environment which inspires its conception.http://www.emmabourke.com/

    

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Fiona ByrneFiona studied Glass and Visual Culture at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. She then went to work for the development director at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Lumsden. Following this she worked as a studio assistant at Glasstorm Contemporary Glass Studio in Tain, Scotland. During her time in Scotland she was awarded a Talent Scotland graduate placement, Friends of Northlands Funding to partake in a NCG master class in surface treatments and Contemporary Glass Society funding to attend the NCG conference. She has her own glass jewellery range called fifi loves jewellery. Currently she is studying for a MA in Arts Management and Cultural Policy at UCD.http://www.risecreatives.com/fionabyrne/index.aspxhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Fi-Fi-Loves-Jewellery/105337326212813

   DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: Emer LynchEmer Lynch graduated with Honours in Glass and History of Art and Design from the National College of and is currently a Masters in Visual Arts Practices candidate at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology in Dun Laoighre. She completed an International Student Exchange Programme at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2008. Lynch was awarded a prestigious Leonardo Programme Placement at Derix Glas Studios, Germany, in 2009, was Artist in Residence at the University of Sunderland in 2011 and is currently Artist in Residence at NCAD.http://www.facebook.com/Emer.Lynch.Glasshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfggRjI4xpA
   

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: Anike Tyrrell Anike is CEO of Waterford County Enterprise Board and her work involves daily commitment to both enterprise development and creating a positiveenvironment for the creation of new business in the region.  As such she has been actively championing the revitalization of the glass making industry in the area with a number of strong projects on the go.  With just a few makers still active in the industry and the last blower of crystal glass operating on a part time basis, great focus is required both from Government agencies and local interests to ensure this extraordinary heritage is not lost.http://www.enterpriseboard.ie/aboutus.shtml


   STUDENT REP DUBLIN:Meadhbh McIlgorm is a final year glass student at NCAD. She likes glass and likes talking and think we should all talk more about glass! Also she deeply wishes more students of NCAD would embrace glass as a medium and is doing her up most to promote the material within the college. 


   STUDENT REP CORK:Róisín lives and works in Cork. She is in her third year of a Fine Art degree at the Crawford College. Her interest is in the development of artistic practice through sculpture with glass and mixed materials. Róisín enjoys classic rock and sci-fi novels in her spare time.www.roisinfoley.wordpress.com