Contemporary Jeweller
August 2014
A few summer themed pieces made from recycled sterling silver.
‘Summer and The Seaside’ featuring the work of eight local jewellers in Dr Sarah McAleer’s Purple Pod, Project 24, Bangor County Down.
SERIES: II” from 29th November – 31st December 2013.
An exhibition of work in Bangor at Dr Sarah McAleer’s studio.
‘SERIES: II’ explores interpretations of the word ‘series’ and focuses on the succession of objects and ideas. It conveys how a jeweller can produce variations on a theme whereby a form/idea develops from the first piece to the last, or is included in different jewellery types. All jewellery is hand-made by local jewellers.
A Culture of Making: Evolution and Growth
In celebration of the August Craft Month ’13 theme, Tyrone Design Guild has brought together both established and emerging artists and designer/makers from Co. Tyrone to demonstrate how the county’s rich heritage of artisans and traditional craftspeople have evolved into contemporary artists for the 21st century.
This exhibition, aims to challenge perceptions about current rural Irish art, craft and design, how traditional practices merge with the contemporary, and how the contemporary sits perfectly in a county steeped in tradition.
It brings together a selection of artists / designer-makers who showcase Co. Tyrone as a particularly vibrant cultural context for contemporary craft practice, including: Andrea Hayes, Carol Kinloch, Catherine Scott, Emma Kelly, Fionnuala O’Neill, Frances Sweeney, Kathleen Ward, Helen McFarland, John McIntyre, Leona Devine, Lotus de Wit, Niamh McAuley, Rachel Leary, Rosemary Ferguson, Shauna McCann, Teresa Poyntz, and Tom Agnew.
Venue: Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 1BL
Dates: Exhibition Preview – Thurs, 8th Aug, 6pm. The exhibition continues from the 9th to the 31st of August. Opening Times: Mon-Sat, 10am to 5.30pm
An exhibition of work by Comber’s up and coming art and design studio, is being held at Castle Espie’s beautiful Graffan Gallery.
The show, will focus on beautiful and practical things for the home, many of which will reference local heritage, be it bird and bug-life, agriculture or architecture, and will reiterate the Arts and Crafts movements’ trusty message, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.
The exhibition will have a salvaged theme running through the spaces at Castle Espie and will include furniture by Donna Bates, a collection of etchings by well-established local artist Gail Kelly and also silverware by Lotus de Wit and Glassware by Catherine Keenan among others.
Lotus de Wit, A series of silver sculptures and jewellery.
Something to Tickle Our Fancy is an exhibition that brings together a diverse array of work which simply ‘appeals’ to Cupola. Artwork has been selected that has the ability to bring a wry smile or ‘a belly laugh’ or that just expresses a spirit of optimism (sometimes a little ‘darkly’).
“This was just such a fun show to select. The biggest problem was knowing when to stop and it is going to be enormously difficult to bring it all together, but hey, I like a challenge, said Cupola managing director Karen Sherwood.
Artists exhibiting include Jane Adams, Mari Ruth Oda, Garry Jones, Sarah Sunders, Rachel Boddington, Becky Gee, Jane Platts, Paul Schatzberger, Alix Swann, Victoria Kershaw, Adele Taylor, Nigel Senior, Derek McQueen, Tair Rafiq, Helen Scouller, Fabric Lenny, Gavin Marshall, Emma Syz, Jonathan Stead, Emma Rowley and Lotus de Wit.
Pedestal transforms the gallery at Craft NI into a living space with contemporary craft and classic antiques.
A few of my pieces have been included in this exhibition Curated by Gail Mahon. ‘Pedestal’ brings together the best of cutting-edge and emerging craft talent from the making it programme.
Working in partnership with Whatnot Antiques in Derry, Gail has selected a classic piece of antique furniture as the ‘pedestal’ for their work.
Louth Craftmark at Highlanes Gallery Celebrated its 4th birthday with this lovely Tea Party show. In collaboration with Ceramics Ireland this exhibition featured a lovely range of handmade tea cups, teapots, cake stands etc. A few of my silver tea infusers will be included as well. A range of my jewellery is also available through Louth Craftmark’s shop.
‘The Chain of Craft’ Lapua Art Museum
Lapua Finland, March 2010
A few of my silver sculptures were included in ‘The Chain of Craft’ exhibition in Lapua. Five countries and 42 makers exhibited at the Lapua Art Museum, this exhibition is the result of collaboration between Finland, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the UK as part of ‘The Sustainable Craft Networks Partnership.
I had a the privilege of travelling to Lapua as part of this networking event. The Sustainable Craft Networks Partnership brought together a group of craft producers from five different countries to research and explore knowledge, know-how and good practice on how to assist both craft businesses themselves and the networks of which they are part to become more sustainable. This was a really lovely experience, we visited a series of makers studios. Below are a few snapshots. I love Alvar Aalto’s design so it was brilliant to get a chance to see the Bell tower of Kauhajärvi Church.
Beyond Traditional Boundaries Exhibition
Venue: University of Ulster Foyer, Belfast, York Street
Dates 6 – 29th August 2009
An exhibition of work by the participants of Craft NI’s making it craft business programme showcasing the creativity and innovation of Northern Ireland’s up-and-coming craft makers in jewellery, ceramics and textiles. This exhibition highlights the importance of gallery work that will inspire and sustain the artistic integrity of the maker.
Artists included in the exhibition are: Suzanne Harbinson, Derek Wilson, Naomi Whan, Ronan Lowery and Lotus de Wit.
Lotus de Wit 