Every second year The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) invite Irish-based and Irish-born makers now abroad to apply for their online Portfolio. Selection is made by an international panel of experts, one of whom will also go on to curate a touring exhibition of the best of these, known as the Critical Selection. … More Surface Matters 2019-2020
I’ve been part of the selection panels for the last two RDS Craft Bursaries, at the invitation of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland. The 2019 winner, announced in February 2019 is glass artist Edmond Byrne, to support him in an exciting collaboration with silversmith Adi Toch. Their new body of work will be … More The RDS Craft Bursary, 2019 and 2020
Following the success of Colour & Form, Design-Nation’s selling showcase of glass artists at NCCD in late 2018, I was delighted to work with colleagues to create a follow-up for autumn 2019. I chose the theme of Pattern & Sequence as an aesthetically pleasing way to approach beautifully designed and well made craftwork, suitable for … More Pattern & Sequence for Design-Nation at NCCD
Decorex is a super glossy high end interiors trade fair, full of amazing furniture, lighting, wallpaper, fabric, staircases, sound systems, flooring, billiard tables, tiles, baths… you name it – it’s pretty much all there. Design-Nation (my “day job”) has the honour of being one of Decorex’s supported organisations so for the last six years I’ve … More Decorex for Design-Nation 2014-2019
In late 2018 I was in dialogue with Sophie Cain at Coin Street Community Builders who own and operate the Oxo Tower Wharf complex. Design-Nation had successfully shown in their Oxo Gallery in 2017 during London Craft Week and I’d hoped to bring a show back to that space for LCW19, but availability was proving … More London Craft Week 2019: The Future of Craft
This exhibition showcases some of the most innovative and inspiring glass artists from Design-Nation’s current portfolio and alumni, and was shown alongside National Museum Scotland’s Art of Glass touring show. Stuart Akroyd has created a special installation, and there are vessels and sculptural forms from: Amy Cushing, Bruce Marks, Catriona R MacKenzie, Clare L Wilson, … More Colour & Form: a selling exhibition for Design-Nation at NCCD
Artists Meet Their Makers: contemporary art reinterpreted by West Dean Tapestry Studio Crafts Study Centre 4 April – 2 July 2017 This exhibition is a celebration of the skill and imagination of West Dean Tapestry Studio’s Master Weavers, past and present. The studio was set up by West Dean’s founder Edward James, and has worked … More Artists Meet their Makers: a project for West Dean Tapestry Studio at Crafts Study Centre
Michael Swaine darns at the Alexandra Palace bus-stop, October 2008. Photo by Rob Kennard. This is an important project for me, in two ways. It was the first for which I received direct Arts Council England support, rather than via an organisation (although it was a feature at 2008 The Knitting and Stitching Show, and … More Door to Door Darning with Michael Swaine, 2008
This touring exhibition was at Bilston Craft Gallery in Wolverhampton from 7 September to 2nd November 2013. The space is a similar size to the main gallery at NCCD but architecturally it works in a very different way, as internal partitions divide into three zones. The space can be very bright with its integral fillets … More Installing ‘Beauty is the First Test’ at Bilston Craft Gallery
This exhibition was on show in the main gallery of The National Centre for Craftt &Design at Sleaford from 20 July – 29 September 2013, to mark NCCD’s 10th anniversary. Co-curated by my colleague Laura Mabbutt, then NCCD’s exhibitions manager, and me, and showing work by over 35 artists and designers nominated as future stars, … More “Growing” – celebrating The National Centre for Craft & Design’s 10th birthday
Liz Cooper 