inter-changes:craft and context

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INTER-CHANGES: CRAFT AND CONTEXT, A SYMPOSIUM ON CONTEMPORARY IRISH CRAFT
13TH - 14TH APRIL, 2010, 9 - 5PM EACH DAY
NCAD, 100 THOMAS STREET, DUBLIN 8

On the 13th and 14th April, a symposium and two exhibition openings will be held in Dublin, entitled Inter-changes: Craft and Context, hosted by NCAD, the Crafts Council of Ireland, and the Fulbright Commission. Here you can find information on the speakers at the symposium, as well as the artists that will participate and exhibit their work.

Registration is now open!

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Registration for the symposium on the 13th and 14th of April is essential, as you will not be allowed to attend without prior registration. You may register for one or both days, and lunch/refreshments will be included.

The cost of attending the symposium is €23 per day, or €12 per day for students, including lunch and refreshments. For more information on speakers, visit the links below:

Co-Researchers & Exhibitors | Invited Speakers | Keynote Speakers | Symposium Timetable | Contact

Robert Milnes: Challenging and Sustaining the Crafts: references

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Our speaker Robert Milnes has supplied some references relating to his talk, Challenging and Sustaining the Crafts: Craft Initiatives in the US for those of you who might be interested in further reading.

National Organizations:
Educational:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Alliance of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)
College Art Association (CAA)
CraftNet

Professional Associations:
Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
Glass Art Society (GAS)
Surface Design Association (SDA)
Textile Society of America (TSA)
Handweavers Guild of America (HGA)

Blogs
Dennis Stevens: Redefining Craft Columbia University
Chandra DeBuse University of Florida

Reference Networks
Clay Art Network

Sustaining the Crafts
The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design: A regional center of the University of North Carolina

Handmade in America

Universities and Art Schools discussed:
California College of the Arts, Oakland and San Francisco, CA
California State University, Long Beach
University of Florida
University of North Carolina, Asheville
University of North Texas, Denton, TX
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Special schools and studios discussed:
Bennett Bean http://www.bennettbean.com/ and http://www.bennettbeanstudio.com/
Campbell Pottery, Cambridge Springs, PA
John Fulwood, Kissammee River Pottery, Frenchtown, NJ
Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA: http://www.potterynorthwest.org/

Events at Mason Hayes & Curran

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Symposium Timetable

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Below is the timetable the Craft and Context Symposium, NCAD, on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th. Double click to enlarge in a new window; right click and hit 'Save as' to download if you wish. Note that the schedule is subject to change: check back here for any changes.

Contact

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Keynote Speakers

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Glenn Adamson is Deputy Head of Research and Head of Graduate Studies at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where he leads a graduate program in the History of Design. Dr. Adamson is co-editor of the triannual Journal of Modern Craft, and the author of Thinking Through Craft (Berg Publishers/V&A Publications) and the Craft Reader (Berg, 2010). His other publications include Industrial Strength Design: How Brooks Stevens Shaped Your World (MIT Press), and Gord Peteran: Furniture Meets Its Maker (Milwaukee Art Museum). Presently he is working on an exhibition about Postmodernism, to be held at the V&A in 2011.

Arline Fisch, Professor of Art (Emerita) - San Diego State University (1961-99), 1954 M.A. in Art, University of Ilinois,  1956-57 Kunsthaandvaerkerskolen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1980 lecturer at the Bezalel Academy of Art, Israel,  1982, lecturer at Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna,  1983 lecturer at Rietveldt Akademie, Amsterdam . Arline has played a central role in the revitalization of jewelry as a contemporary art form. Her outstanding contribution has been the introduction of textile techniques into the field of jewelry making. Employing gold, silver and colored copper wire she knits, braids, plaits, and crochets lightweight, flexible forms with dense, light-reflective patterns, subtle textures, and glowing color. In 1985, the State Assembly declared Fisch a ‘Living Treasure of California’.

Invited Speakers

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Dr. Stanislava Antonijevic acquired her B.S. degree in Psychology at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia in 1993. Subsequently she undertook a taught and research masters degree programme at the University of Belgrade, which she completed in 1999. She acquired her doctoral degree in 2003 from the University of Belgrade, having undertaken her research at the University of Leipzig and the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. Since 2006 Stanislava is employed at the National University of Ireland, Galway lecturing in Psycholinguistics, Cognitive psychology and research methodology. Her research focuses mainly on language structure and cognitive processes related to language.

Nicola Gordon Bowe is an associate research fellow at National College of Art & Design (NCAD) and former director of the MA Course in the History of Design and the Applied Arts, NCAD. She has held several research fellowships abroad, is an Honorary Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, and has written and lectured widely on late 19th and 20th century decorative arts. Books include; Harry Clarke – His Graphic Art (1983), The Life and Work of Harry Clarke (1989), A Gazetteer of Irish Stained Glass (ed. and co-author) (1988), Art and the National Dream; the Search for Vernacular Expression in Turn-of-the-Century Art, Architecture and Design (ed. and contributor) (1993), The Arts and Crafts Movements in Dublin and Edinburgh (with E.S. Cumming) (1998). Nicola is currently preparing a book on the stained glass artist Wilhelmina Geddes.

Marie Brett, freelance visual artist, was awarded a Masters Degree with distinction in Visual Arts from Goldsmith’s College, London University in 2000 and 1st class BA in Visual Arts in 1987. A qualified teacher, trained in community development, she studied group facilitation and has over 20 years experience in the field of participatory and public art projects.

Robert Brady was born in Reno Nevada, and received a BFA Ceramics, California College of Arts, 1969, MFA, University of California Davis, 1975. Professor of Art: California State University, Sacramento, 1975-2009 (retired). Robert Brady began his artistic career as a potter, later figurative ceramic sculpture and eventually to figurative wood sculpture /mixed media. Brady has exhibited throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. With over 50 solo exhibitions, 10 of which were Museum exhibits. Two career survey exhibitions traveling to 7 museums featured both ceramic and wood sculpture. In addition, he has participated in countless group exhibitions. His work is in the collections of many museums and private collections.

Mary Cahill, FSA, FRSAI is an Assistant Keeper in the Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum of Ireland with responsibility for the prehistoric collections. She is currently, a member of the Directorate of the Discovery Programme; has published and lectured extensively on Bronze Age goldwork, the history of collections and antiquarianism. Exhibitions she has curated include Rites of Passage at Tara, the excavation of the Mound of the Hostages; Ór-Irelands Gold; Ancient Egypt and Ten Years Collecting. Mary Cahill is a founding member of the Prehistoric Gold Research Group which is dedicated to discovering the sources of prehistoric gold in Ireland and Britain using a combination of archaeological and related geological disciplines.

Frances W. Chapin is the Cultural Services Manager for the city of Edmonds, WA. She has managed public art projects for the past 14 years and curates the city's public art collection of over 30 permanent installations and 120 portable works. She has a PhD in Anthropology from University of Wisconsin and a fine arts background in metal arts. She is past president and on the board of the statewide arts advocacy organization Washington State Arts Alliance.

Vanessa Cutler trained in Architectural Stained Glass at Swansea Institute and completed a Masters at University of Wolverhampton and has PhD from University of Sunderland (2006). She now lectures at the Welsh School of Architectural Glass, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea Wales. Alongside her work at the University her studio undertakes commissions that utilise her experience and knowledge with the field of architectural glass and waterjet cutting.

Dr. Mark Elliott CSci, BA (Hons) (Open), MSc (Bham), PhD (Lond.)completed his education with a PhD in experimental psychology at the University of London in 1998 and, although steeped in the tradition of empirical rationalism, drew inspiration and mentorship from the living descendants of the Gestalt schools of visual phenomenology originating in Berlin at the turn of the 20th century. A lengthy period in Germany allowed him to complete research programmes examining the dynamics of visual form-coding mechanisms, although his primary interest lay and still lies in the phenomenology of visual structure – and from this the study of aesthetics. He has served as President of the International Society for Psychophysics. He has published over 50 articles on processing dynamics in vision and on the philosophy of appearance properties.

Sandy Fitzgerald, Director of CityArts, Dublin,1973 to 2001; founder member CAFE now CREATE; board member Royal Hospital National Cultural Centre (1985 – 1990), later to become the Irish Museum of Modern Art; board member Dublin Film Festival (1988 - 1993); founder board member Junior Dublin Film Festival (1990 – 1994); Executive Committee Member Trans Europe Halles, a European network of Cultural Centres (1997 – 2002). Currently Sandy is a partner in the arts consultancy group, OLIVEARTE and the cultural agency CultureWorks working on projects such as: ‘The Hat Factory’ (Luton); Beat Initiative (Belfast); Pekarna (Slovenia); Stanica (Slovakia). Published works include: Outburst of Frankness – A Community Arts Reader for Ireland and ‘Managing Independent Cultural Centres: A Reference Manual’.

Michael Flannery, Senior Lecturer in Education (Visual Arts) at Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education and PhD candidate year four at NCAD Research: Exploring the triadic relationship between artist, teacher and child in a school based community arts practice.

Eleanor Flegg is a doctoral researcher in contemporary craft history at the University of Ulster. She has been the design columnist for the Irish Arts Review since 2003. From 2005 to 2009 she wrote an interior design column for the Sunday Times, and was editor of Room magazine between 2005 and 2007. Between 2006 and 2008 she was a part-time lecturer in design history at DIT. She has worked extensively on the county introductions for the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) and is the author of the Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of County Wexford (2010) and is a History graduate of Trinity College, Dublin (1990).

Olivier Gaillot, Technical Director at RPS Ireland in Dublin, is an environmental engineer with operational experience in the waste and energy sector. He is currently responsible for a broad range of projects for waste management facilities, energy recovery and resource management. Olivier is currently the project manager of rx3 which is taksed to implement a €13 million multiannual programme funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to stimulate the development of indigeneous markets for recyclable resources.

Ed Kuczaj is Head of Art Therapy and Continuing Visual Education at Crawford College, Cork, where he is course leader on the MA in Art Therapy. He qualified as an Art Therapist in 1988 after taking a degree in Fine Art and working as an 'Art Instructor' in a Learning disability Hospital in the UK. Up until 2000 Ed worked as a clinician and manager of an Art & Drama therapy service in Bristol as well as teaching on a number of Art Therapy courses. He has a particular interest in the use of art/creativity within health and social settings and the development of an awareness of the Artist in a social context.

Geoffrey Mann is a Scottish artist, designer and lecturer whose fascination with transposing the ephemeral nature of time and motion has created a studio practice that challenges the existing divides between art, craft and design. He has exhibited in national and international venues including MoMA New York, International Bombay Sapphire Awards, London and Milan, Jerwood Space London, MAD New York and the European Glass Context in Denmark. In 2008, Mann was awarded the World Craft Council Prize for Glass and in 2009 won the Jerwood Contemporary Makers Prize. Mann has work included in MoMA New York, Design and Architecture collection and MAD New York, Design and Applied permanent collections.

Lesley Millar, Weaver, Curator, Professor of Textile Culture at the University for the Creative Arts Epsom, UK. Lesley Millar has been a practising weaver with her own studio since 1975, has work in the permanent collections of both The Crafts Council and Arts Council England and is listed on the Crafts Council Index of Selected Makers. She has exhibited throughout the UK, in Europe, the USA and Japan. She has worked as an exhibition organiser and curator specialising in contemporary textiles since 1987 and has been project director for 5 major international touring exhibitions featuring textile artists from the UK and Japan.

Robert Milnes is Dean of the College of Visuals Arts and Design at the University of North Texas and President of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. His artworks have been included in over 165 exhibitions nationally including 26 one/two person shows. He has served as Director of the School of Art and Design at San Jose State University, Director of the School of Art at Louisiana State University, and Chair of the Art Department and Professor of Ceramics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Milnes earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a MFA in Ceramics from the University of Washington, and a BA in Philosophy and Fine Arts from Claremont McKenna College.

Cearbhall E. O’Meadhra is currently the Bank of Ireland Visiting Research Fellow in NCAD, where he is developing a ‘Reference modal for Accessibility’. Cearbhall is blind, an Architect, computer programmer, musician and Fellow of the RIAI. He is assisting the NSAI in the creation of standards for accessibility and is the official representative of EIDD – Design for all Europe in the European Disability Forum. He was previously working on secundment to the Institute for Design and Disability to help further develop the concept of Design for All and to support the implementation of the Barcelona Declaration as policy leader of the recent Barcelona Declaration Project.

Gana Roberts was born in England in 1952 and studied history and culture at London University. She moved to Ireland in 1973, became involved in the visual arts through an interest in textiles. She learned felt making in Hungary in 1987 and then designed and made felt rugs and wall hangings. In 1994 she became interested in ceramics and worked in ceramic mosaic. She studied kiln-formed glass in Oregon in 2002 and is currently working in fused and flat-cast glass.

Alex Robins is a philosophy graduate student with a research specialization in 20th century theories of art. He received his BA in philosophy from Northwestern University and is currently a PhD student in philosophy at Emory University. This year Alex is a Fulbright scholar to University College Cork where he is completing an MA in Aesthetics and the History of Art. Alex’s current research explores the interplay between physical and cognitive reflection in art.

Sandy Simon attended University of Minnesota (1967 – 1970), and moved to Georgia to join a potters community. She left her work as a studio potter in 1978 to become a faculty member of the Chicago Art Institute, also taught at Purdue University and in 1980 moved to the newly established Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee. Sandy was appointed Dean of Students and met her collaborator/colleague/future husband, Robert Brady. In 1982 they moved to California. Robert resumed his teaching job at Sacramento State University. Sandy started TRAX gallery in Berkeley, to showcase the work of nationally known potters. TRAX has become recognized as the foremost American gallery for utilitarian studio pottery.

Wayne Strattman received a PhD, University of Sunderland. He has spent many years of work researching, writing, advocating for, and making sculpture with neon and other advanced forms of lighted glass. An engineer and a physicist by training, Wayne also applies his considerable skills to developing innovative practical applications for the technologies developed in his art, as both an independent developer and as a consultant to other developers.

Georgie Thompson has worked as Assistant Curator and National Programmer in the Collection Department of the Irish Museum of Modern Art since 2006. She has curated exhibitions as part of the Museum’s National Programme in association with partner organizations in both art and non art spaces throughout Ireland. Thompson has worked extensively on Altered Images, a partnership project between IMMA’s National Programme, Mayo County Council and South Tipperary County Council. Altered Images is a touring exhibition and will be shown in IMMA from 19 May to 15 August 2010. She has also worked on exhibitions within the Museum such as Carlos Amorales and Self as Selves.

Dr. Audrey Whitty is Curator of Ceramics, Glass and Asian collections at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks. She has curated several exhibitions, mostly notably ‘A Dubliner’s Collection of Asian Art: The Albert Bender Exhibition’ and the museum’s visible storage facility, which showcases important collections of applied arts. A graduate (B.A.: History and Archaeology) and postgraduate (M.A.: Archaeology) of University College Dublin, she recently completed her doctorate at Trinity College on the ‘Albert Bender Donations of Far Eastern Art to the National Museum of Ireland in the context of his Cultural Interests in Ireland and California’. She was appointed Irish Commissioner to both European Ceramic Context and European Glass Context (European Union-wide biennales of contemporary glass and ceramics) in 2006 and 2008.

Exhibitors and Co-Researchers

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Below are images and biographies of all the co-researchers in the NCAD/CCoI Inter-Changes seminar series. They have formulated the content of the symposium, and have invited the guest speakers to join them. They will be also exhibiting at Mason Hayes & Curran and IMOCA. Click on the images to enlarge in a new window.

KARINA ABDULBANEEVA

Untitled, 28cm x 16cm, Polished Scarva clay ES40, December 2009, Image by: Michael Kay

Karina Abdulbaneeva, was born 1971 in Ufa, Russia. She received a Diploma of an Artist Decorator (BA equivalent) from Ufa Art College (1991) and continued her education as a Graphic Designer in the Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry (1992-1995). Between 1995 and 2001 she worked as a Graphic Designer and an Art Director in advertising. In 2001 Karina moved to Ireland. She started her studies in Ceramics in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa College (CCAD) in 2002. In 2003 she continued her education in CCAD and received a BA (Honours) in 2006. Since 2008, Karina has been pursuing a MA in Ceramics in the National College of Art & Design.

MURIEL BECKETT

‘Killadoon’, 80cm x 230cm, Woven textile, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Muriel Beckett is a textile artist living in Co. Wicklow. Ireland. She studied and later lectured at Dun Laoghaire School of Art and at The National College of Art & Design. Muriel was awarded a scholarship by the Irish Export Board and spent a year specialising in hand-woven textiles in Hameenlinna, Finland. Since then she has worked as an educator and as a self-employed artist. She has taken part in many group exhibitions and promotions in Ireland, America and Japan. Muriel has extensive experience of private, corporate and ecclesiastical commissions.

JULIE CONNELLAN

'New Art(e) facts', 10cm x 9.5cmx 0.03cm,Copper, oxidised, 2009, Image by: Michael Kay

Julie Connellan, is a jewellery designer living in Dublin. She is a MA Candidate in the Metals, Department of Ceramics, Glass and Metals, National College of Art & Design. She has worked in an administrative and curatorial capacity at the Schmückbar gallery, Pforzheim. She is a state certified designer of jewellery and tableware as awarded by the Berufskolleg für Design, Schmuck und Gerät Pforzheim, Germany, 2009. She holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin, 2004. Her work has been exhibited at the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, the Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Hanau, and at the Schmückbar gallery, Pforzheim.

PETER FULOP

‘Triptych’ (detail), 80cm x 80cm each, Chinese porcelain, green celadon, copper red oxides, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Peter Fulop studied traditional ceramics in Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary (1985-87). He moved to his studio in the Northwest of Ireland in 2001. His work is part of many public collections including, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Inax Gallery and IWCAT Collection, Japan, the Office of Public Works and the National Museum of Ireland, Freeborn & Peter’s LLP, Chicago. Peter has received several awards, residencies and bursaries in support of his work from the Arts Council of Ireland, local County Councils and Culture Ireland. He has exhibited extensively and most recently in Jingdezhen C2 Gallery, and the Ningbo Art Museum China (2009).

GERALDINE GRUBB

'Three Vessels', 36cm x 10cm x 10cm each, Terracotta paperclay, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Geraldine Grubb, graduated from Limerick College of Art and Design with a First Class Honours Degree in 2007 and won the RDS Graduate Prize in the National Craft Competition in 2007. She has exhibited in Side by Side at the Hunt Museum (2007 Limerick), Image of Longing (2008 Kilkenny), Royal Ulster Academy Open Submission (Belfast 2009) and made ceramics in three international residencies in Denmark, Hungary and Iceland. An arts graduate of Dublin University, Geraldine also has a MA in Womens’ Studies, University of Limerick Born in Dublin, Geraldine now lives and works in Co. Clare.

BREDA HAUGH

'The Gift', Item 1: 15mm x 15mm x 15mm, Silver box with 18ct gold with brush and engraved texture, Item 2: 31 mm x 7mm, Silver dish with silver and 18ct gold apple motif details brush and engraved texture, Item 3: 130mm x 203mm, Book made of paper , card watercolour paints, gold leaf, Image by: Trinity Digital

Breda Haugh, is a designer and jeweller based in Dublin. After graduating from the National College of Art & Design in 1975 with a Honours Design, she attained a scholarship to study at Sir John Cass College, London. In 1987, she established her studio having worked for eight years in jewellery retail and manufacturing in England and Ireland. Her work draws upon historical artefacts and contemporary culture and is available in the National Museum of Ireland, select retail outlets and with private clients. She regularly participates in exhibitions and has had her work selected for numerous prestigious awards including, the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Made for America and Art of Gold.

EVA KELLY

'Erasing Memory', 14cm x 36cm x 22cm, Cast glass, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Eva Kelly trained as a nurse in Dublin in 1972. She moved to Australia and became involved in the glass movement there. She attended classes given by Warren Langley [glass fusing] and Paddy Robinson [glass painting]. Eva also attended Rozelle College of Visual Arts in Sydney. She won first prize in the Yenken Sandy National Australian Glass competition in 1982 and the award helped her set up her glass studio. Eva returned to Ireland in 1986 to a studio in County Kildare. She has exhibited widely in Australia, England and Ireland and is part of a group exhibition The Light Fantastic which is currently touring America.

LESLEY KELLY

'Awaken', ES 40 clay, unfired, 21cm x 20cm, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Lesley Kelly is a ceramist working in Co. Kildare, Ireland. She obtained her BDes (First Class Honours) in Ceramics from the National College of Art & Design and is currently completing a MA in Ceramics at NCAD. Working as a studio artist in England her work showcased weekly at Cambridge Craft Market (2003 - 2004). Kelly’s work was selected for the Ceramic Ireland Exhibition (2009). The exhibit travelled to Dalkey Castle, the Heritage Center and was part of ‘Plan Expo’ Home & Architectural Show, RDS, Dublin. Recently her work was featured in Architecture Now Magazine.

AOIFE LUDLOW

'M1-1', 1.3m x 5m, Digital and hand print on silk viscose, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Aoife Ludlow, currently works as a designer for Tactility Factory and is co-director of design consultancy, We Like Soup. She received her BDes (First Class Honours) in textiles from the National College of Art & Design and a MA in Interactive Media from University of Limerick. Ludlow worked as a research assistant at Interface, University of Ulster (2005 – 2009), on a range of collaborative projects such as Wonderland with the Helen Storey Foundation. Her work has been exhibited widely in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Austria, the USA and Argentina.

CAROLINE MADDEN

Spirit hot sculpted glass, 2008

Caroline Madden is an educator/artist teaches at the National College of Art and Design, Ireland and serves on Board of Directors of the Glass Art Society. Received, MFA, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston (1992). Professor of Art, Jacksonville University (1992-2007); directed, Governors High School Summer Program for Gifted and High Achieving Students (2001), (2003); inducted, Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2006); co-founder and director, Glass Institute of the Southeast (1997-2002); mentored students at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research. Assistant Professor at School for American Craft, RIT (2001-2002). Taught workshops at Pilchuck Glass School, Urban Glass, Pittsburgh Glass Centre, the Fire Station Workshops. Her works are in the collections of Ulster Museum, Belfast, National Museum, Ireland;

KIRSTY MCGHIE

Untitled, 38cm x 91cm x 38cm, Ceramic, metal, plastic tubing, Jan 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Kristy McGhie was born and educated in Scotland and is now working in Ireland as an artist/ educator. She graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a BA (Honours) Fine Art/Post Graduate in Environmental Art. Currently lecturing at National College of Art & Design, she is also undertaking a MA in Ceramics. She served on the Scottish Arts Council awards and purchasing panels and was Secretary/Chair of the Collective Gallery in Edinburgh. She has exhibited in Scotland, England, Germany, Japan and Ireland and has received awards from the Scottish and Irish Arts Councils, Sasakawa Foundation and the Scottish Education Department. She has been involved in several residencies, artists in industry, symposia, and community arts projects.

LIZ NILSSON

'Constructed Remembrance' (detail), 45cm x 45cm x 45 cm, Linen and cotton cloth, buttonhole thread, Screen printing, embelishing methods including textile lamination and stitching, 2010

Liz Nilsson, is an interdisciplinary textile artist, born 1960 in Sweden. She has practiced in the field of art and design for twenty years and moved to Ireland in 2000. She received a BA from Swedish School of Textiles, Boras, Sweden, and a MA Goldsmiths College, University of London. She has an extensive public and private commissioning record, including the Office of Public Works, Ireland. Recent exhibitions include Embellished (2009) Harris Museum and Art gallery, UK, Sculpture in Context (2009) Dublin, Object (2009) National Craft Gallery, Collect (2009), National Craft Gallery of Ireland at the Saatchi Gallery, London, Pink Thursday (2008) Trelleborg’s Museum, Sweden. She was selected to represent Ireland at the 13th International Triennial of Tapestry, 2010, Lodz, Poland.

RENATA PEKOWSKA

‘Shadow Theatre’ (detail), Soda glass, engraved, enamelled, soldered, Approx. 30cm x 20cm x 50cm, 2010

Renata Pekowska, is a Polish designer-maker based in Dublin. She obtained her BDes (First Class Honours) (2008) in Glass from the National College of Art & Design and studied architecture at the University of Technology in Cracow. She has received numerous awards for her work including being selected as a finalist for, Bombay Sapphire Competition (2007); Habitat, House and Home Student Design Competition (2006 & 2007) and finalist for Cheongju 5th International Craft Competition Exhibition, Korea (2007); Royal Dublin Society, National Crafts Competition Exhibition, Dublin (2007). She was a recipient of the RHA Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Award (2007) and the Crafts Council of Ireland: Future Makers Award (2009).

RICHY QUIN

‘The Devil in me is not me, he said’- Machete, Ceramic, 28cm x 25cm x 30cm, 2009, Image by: Michael Kay

Richard Quin, was born in Dublin 1982 and completed a BDes in Ceramics from the National College of Art & Design, 2008. He is currently a MA Candidate in Ceramics (NCAD). He was a BA candidate in Graphic Design at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology in 2003. His work is in private and public collections, including the permanent collection of the National Museum of Ireland and he has exhibited in Ireland, including the Royal Hibernian Academy Unselected exhibition.

DEIRDRE ROGERS

‘Self-Portrait’, Images by – Simon age 4, Alison age 40+, Adam age 12, Betty age 70+, 300mm x 320mm x 150mm, Sheet glass, pen & ink, ash wood, January 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Deirdre Rogers, is a designer who works in a variety of glass forming techniques and set up her studio in 1996. She received her BDes in Glass from the National College of Art & Design and a post-graduate diploma from Orrefors Glaskolan in Sweden. As well as commission work, Deirdre facilitates art, craft and glass-led projects in schools, strengthening her interest in integrating creative and imaginative skills in the classroom. Deirdre’s work has been exhibited in shows in Ireland, Europe and America. She has received many awards including the “Awards of Excellence” and “Best Interior Design Product”. Her work is represented in private and public collections worldwide.

SUZANNE ROGERS

‘Cross Wire’, 4cm x 4cm x 10cm, 4cm x 4cm x 6cm, Bronze, January 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Suzanne Rogers is a Metalsmith/ Sculptor/ Educator based in Dublin. She holds a BDes in Metals from the National College of Art & Design and is currently a MA candidate in Ceramics at NCAD, specialising in Metal. In 2005 she studied Engraving and Enamelling in Ecole Boulle in Paris as part of her degree. Suzanne teaches Metals and Art in Inchicore College of Further Education, Dublin. 2008 Royal Dublin Society National Crafts Competition, Suzanne won first prize in the Gold, Silver & Alternative Materials category.

ELEANOR SWAN

‘After Michael Leiris’, 45cm x 28cm x 34cm, Polished stoneware, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Eleanor Swan, born 1959, lives in Newbridge, Co Kildare. She is currently a MA candidate in Ceramics at the National College of Art & Design. She received her BDes, NCAD (2006) and has a RGN from the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin (1981). In 2002, she decided to pursue her love of art after twenty-five years in the nursing profession. As a ceramic artist she has exhibited widely in Ireland, China, Spain, Latvia and the USA. Her work is included in the public collections of the Office of Public Works, the National Museum of Ireland and the Porcelain Museum, Riga, Latvia.

CLARE TURLEY

Waves, 62cm x 62cm x 55cm, Ceramics, Jan 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Clare Turley, works primarily as a functional potter, based in Co. Kildare. She graduated with a BDes from the National College of Art & Design (2006) and completed the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Ceramic Design and Skills Course (2008). She has exhibited at the Bridge Gallery, Dublin, the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Sculpture in Context, in the Botanic Gardens (2009) and the Bar Council of Ireland in Dublin. She works with Artsquad, a community art education group based in Dublin. She has organised art projects with primary and secondary schools and with adults with disabilities and taught in the 2009 Crafts Council of Ireland’s Craft in the Classroom program.

BRIGITTA VARADI

'From Red to White', 230cm x variable lengths, Textile, 2010, Image by: Michael Kay

Brigitta Varadi, is renowned for her innovative textiles. She creates both site-specific installations and unique pieces for individuals. Her work is included in private collections and the public collections of the Office of Public Works, the Crafts Council of Ireland and Roscommon County Council. She has received several awards in support for her residencies and exhibitions from the Arts Council of Ireland, County Council and Culture Ireland. She has exhibited extensively and is winner of the Royal Dublin Society National Craft Exhibition (2007), (2008). Solo exhibitions include, Marmara University-Turkey, Kulttuurikauppila-Finland, Town Hall Art Centre and Sligo Art Gallery, Ireland.

SUZANNAH VAUGHAN

‘Perspective’, 2.75m x 3m x 3m, Site specific installation made from electrical wire, 2009

Suzannah Vaughan, received a BDes (Honours) from the National College of Art & Design in 2003 and a MA in Visual Arts Practice from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology 2008. In 2007 her work was selected for Open Ev+a 2007, A Sense of Place, curated by Klaus Ottmann and during which she was awarded the Ev+a '07 Belltable One Person Exhibition Award. Her work has been purchased by art collectors and institutions including the National Museum of Ireland. In 2004 she was awarded the prestigious Golden Fleece Award and was one of three emerging artists awarded the 2009 Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Lecture Award.

MARY BAYARD WHITE

‘Meetings' (detail), Recycled window glass, 2010

Mary Bayard White, sculptor/arts educator, Fulbright Scholar National College of Art & Design 2009-2010 received her BFA Ceramics (1970) and MFA Glass/ Painting (1982) from California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA. 1985-2005 Head of Glass Program, School of Art and Design, San Jose State University. 2005- 2009 Co-head of the Glass Department at the Crucible Fire Arts, Oakland, CA, board member Women Environmental Art Directory (WEAD), previous Glass Art Society Board member and co-site coordinator. Led workshops at over fifteen institutions including Pilchuck Glass School and Corning Glass Museum. Shows work internationally. 2010 Public Art Commission: Flood Level Marker, Boulder, CO, in collaboration with a team of geographers.