Engaging with Glass: a survey of contemporary Irish Glass Art April 21st – May 27th 2012

http://www.travergallery.com/

Tambour – Limerick Lace Series.   Blown glass with diamond point engraving.

Photo: Mike O Toole.

Exhibition at the National Craft Gallery, Killenny, Ireland

BETWEEN ART AND INDUSTRY 25 MAY 2012 – 4 JULY 2012

Between Art and Industry explores the decline of  traditional craft industries in Ireland and the UK. The exhibition will reflect on the social impact of the demise, through the use of evocative imagery utilising text, film and sound. The exhibition is a co-production with the Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown, where it will tour in August 2012.

Artists:

Róisín de Buitléar

Glass artist Róisín de Buitléar has researched the history and tradition of Irish brilliant glass cutting in order to evolve new and contemporary responses within her own practice, and also to capture and honour this unique craftsmanship before it disappears. Her research has involved recording oral histories with Waterford master craftsmen, and recording the realities of the closure of Waterford Crystal through photo documentation.

Neil Brownsword

Ceramicist Neil Brownsword’s practice centres on the detritus of the ceramics industry in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent. He often works directly with the factory off-cuts, saggars and ‘wasters’, combining, glazing and re-firing them into new forms. His work combines the role of maker with that of social historian. In 2005 he made a set of films called ‘Collaging History’ about the Wedgewood workers, in order to capture the oral history.

Molloy and Sons

Molloy and Sons are artisans. One of the few authentic producers of Donegal Tweed (the name is not protected), this father and son team have five generations of history in the textile business, stretching back to the 19th Century. Their yarn is spun and felted locally, whilst designing, warping and weaving are all done in-house.  Although many elements of the process are mechanized, the nature of the yarn, with its flecks of felted wool, require slower speeds and constant attention. The quality of the fabric they produce has ensured that it has appeared on catwalks around the world, and Molloy and Sons have carved out a niche for themselves as specialised craft producers.

This quiet, contemporary success story is a counterpoint to the larger, industrialized models of Waterford Glass and the Stoke potteries, and their more dramatic failures.
Whilst the shifting patterns of global methods of production and trade could be attributed as the cause of those failings, one of the questions this exhibition raises is whether small-scale production is the secret to success?

On Tour

http://www.nationalcraftgallery.ie/exhibitions/between-art-and-industry

Working on a new project based on Motion with 4th class of Gaelscoil Naomh Phádraig, as part of the CraftEd project initiated by the Crafts Council of Ireland to bring artists into primary schools to introduce different craft experiences to school communities.

http://www.learncraftdesign.com/craft-materials/man-made-new-technologies-2

http://www.learncraftdesign.com/

Hosting Lukáš Jabůrek design director at Moser Glass at Karlovy Vary Czech Republic has been a wonderful experience. For six weeks we have collaborated on a number of my current projects, exhibition work, making glass pieces at the workshop of Irish handmade Glass in Waterford, teaching, workshops, sharing design ideas and development for future projects. It has been an exciting cross cultural exchange. More to follow soon!

http://www.moser-glass.com/en/

IRISH WAVE will come to Shanghai for the first time ever this year, celebrating the Irish Festival with two exhibitions, Telling Tales and Elements.

‘Elements’ is an exhibition of contemporary glass and ceramics by Irish and Chinese artists. ‘Elements’ investigates the delicate personal narratives at the heart of the artists’ work, expressing a deep connection with landscape and culture. The artists have chosen their media because the materials they use have spoken to them, and given them a way of voicing their inspirations, creating works with individual and different influences, yet which share an expressive quality.

The Preview evening begins at the Shengling Gallery in Red Town where the ‘Elements’ will open at 4pm, and will proceed to the Irish Centre for the opening of ‘Telling Tales’. ‘Telling Tales’ is a multi-media exhibition of Irish and Chinese artists whose work focuses on how artists use text and books as inspiration. 30% of all the monies raised from sales will be donated to the Centre for its many charitable activities in China.

‘Telling Tales’ is curated by Fion Gunn and ‘Elements’ is curated by Mary Mackey, as part of IRISH WAVE 2012.

Preview & date: 16 March 4-6pm Preview & date: 16 March 6-9pm
Elements Telling Tales
Shengling Gallery Irish Centre Shanghai
A2-101, 570 Huaihai Road W. Unit 203 Central Plaza
Changning District, 227 Huangpi Road (N)
Shanghai 200052 Shanghai 200003
Website www.shenglingart.com Website: www.irishcentreshanghai.com

Mary Mackey, Sean Campbell, Michael Ray, Cormac Boydell, Nuala O’Donovan, Debbie Dawson, Alison Lowry, Andrea Spencer, Aoife Sodden, Roisin De Buitlear, Kevin O’Callaghan.

OTHER IRISH WAVE EXHIBITIONS IN 2012 (Preview dates)
- National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing – ‘Instruments of Pleasure’ (11 March) – -
- With Space Gallery, 798 Beijing – ‘Convergence 3′ (24 March)
- Siemens Arts Space 798, Beijing – ‘Intimate Revolution: Discourse on Disappointment’
(8 March)
- Yan Chao Collection Gallery, Guomao, Beijing – ‘Hidden Meanings’ (9 March)
website www.bigsmallartists.com

Title; ‘Only a drop’

Dimensions H250mm x W130mm

Title; Precious drop

Dimensions H200 x W150mm

Title ;River Music

Dimensions vary L330 xH190x W260mm

Title; Melody of the stream

Dimensions vary L1300 xH180x W260mm

Irish Incantation / Ortha

A series of glass sound objects created to create an Irish incantation, a harmony of voice, object and Irish soul. As a collection of displayed objects they communicate through pose and relationship with each other.

Liquid String

Based on a once common-place versatile bag made of knotted string this bag form tells its story through its cast shadow. Shaped by the ghost of it contents, its detail and history are defined by fine engraving describing the interlacing of knotted string. By casting a delicate but strong shadow it leaves the viewer decide what the content might be and marvel at the method of making which was often overlooked in the original item.

Materials Glass

Techniques Blown glass, hot formed glass, diamond point engraved

Dimensions vary H490 x W150x L280mm

Exhale

A basket form made of glass, captures the form of an exhalation of breath. The swollen form suggests a laden soft basket shaped by its contents. The fragile handle is drawn from the body of the basket as if it is one fluid line of continuous exhalation.

Title; Exhale

Materials Glass

Techniques; Blown hot formed glass, Dimensions vary H300 xL280x W130mm

As the Year Of Craft draws to a close I am inviting; artists, historians, clients, collectors, gallerists, writers, friends, patrons and lovers of glass to participate in Glass Net Ireland.

In 2011 An Post, in association with the Crafts council of Ireland, issued the  stamp illustrated above with an image of my work entitled ‘Catch a Breath’ This stamp was one in a series of five stamps issued to mark the year of Craft.  The image is of a glass butterfly net, with a gently curving glass handle, which hangs in space creating an ethereal shadow. This piece speaks of a carefree time, of tripping through a meadow as a child, unconscious of time and chasing the elusive. There is a certain wistfulness expressed in this work, in wanting to remember to make time to dawdle, to see the beauty in the ordinary, and to celebrate the little things we can so quickly forget when life gets too busy.

Inspired by the occasion of this issue, I am collaborating with An Post to build on the archive of information about contemporary Irish glass. I am inviting anyone with a story or connection with contemporary Irish Glass to write to me with accounts of their personal experience with glass. It may be the story of a piece of glass you received as a special gift or inheritance, a piece that you commissioned, a story of a relative who works in glass, an artist you met, collaborated with or documented. It may be an encounter with a work or process you wish to have recorded in the national archive and publicly accessible.

Photographic images, original documents and hand written or email accounts- all are acceptable but cannot be returned. Please include your own name and contact address and feel free to spread the net as wide as you wish! The stamp is available from An Post – on line http://www.irishstamps.ie/shop/c-94-the-year-of-craft-in-ireland.aspx or in larger post offices countrywide.

Postal Address; 37 Ashfield Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Email; redbuitlear@yahoo.com