(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.
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 Culture2013. 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.
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| 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.’
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.
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| Participating artists with the mayor of Derry |
Here’s a full list of participating artists:
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| 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
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
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| 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.
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:
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
