Tag: Curating
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Crafting Hybrids at University of Waikato, 2025
Hybrid n. thing composed with incongruous elements. (From Concise Oxford Dictionary, sixth edition 1978.) Hybridisation is a strengthening process commonly seen in plant breeding to improve yields and hardiness. In contemporary making, hybrid objects can bring together unexpected combinations of materials and ideas, creating a pleasing but sometimes unsettling aesthetic. This exhibition examines objects and…
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Surface Matters 2019-2020
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.…
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The RDS Craft Bursary, 2019 and 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…
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Pattern & Sequence for Design-Nation at NCCD
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…
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London Craft Week 2019: The Future of Craft
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…
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Colour & Form: a selling exhibition for Design-Nation at NCCD
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,…
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Press Coverage for “Make it OK”
Press coverage has been given by these writers and publications, to whom I give sincere thanks. Preview in the September-October 2015 issue of Crafts Preview in the September-October 2015 issue of Embroidery Review by Jessica Hemmings in the November-December 2015 issue of Crafts Profile by Anne Williams in the Winter 2015 issue of The Quilter…
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Studio International interview about “Make it Ok’
Artist Kate Tiernan interviewed me about “Make it OK” for Studio International at the Pump House Gallery recently, and their creative director Martin Kennedy has turned it into a film.
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Make it Ok – brand, touring and events timetable
There’s been a lot of work going on with this project in July. As well as the logo, designed for me by The Unloved, I added a page to this site that profiles all five artists. I’m also pleased to announce the tour details below. We also launched a call out via the Crafts Study…
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Renate Keeping: Ripeness and Age 2014
Image: Windfall apples from Renate’s garden on top of the family piano with her drawing materials. In 2014 I developed a survey project for The Knitting & Stitching Show, of work by textile artist Renate Keeping. This exhibition was initially developed as a retrospective after consultation with Renate, a former member of the 62 Group,…