CERAMICS STUDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD
14th November 2009
 Piece by Orlaith Ross
Now in its second year, the Crafts Council of Ireland / Irish Arts Review Emerging Maker Award was established to support and assist a new generation of talented and innovative craftspeople in the development of their career and creative craft-based practice. The award is open to newly-trained craftspeople, recent graduates and career changers. As winner of the Crafts Council of Ireland / Irish Arts Review Emerging Maker for 2009, Orlaith receives a prize fund of €5,000 and a profile feature in the Winter 2009 edition of the Irish Arts Review.
Orlaith’s work explores the decay and regeneration of the urban landscape and involves a delicate process of photographic printing onto paper-thin porcelain panels. She was selected as the winner of the prestigious award over 48 other candidates by a selection panel that included: Sonya Perkins, chief executive and publisher of the Irish Arts Review; Megan Johnston, director and head curator of the Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown and Ann Mulrooney, exhibitions manager and curator at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. The announcement was made at the opening of the current exhibition at the National Craft Gallery – Generation – where the work of metalworker Laura Caffrey was highly commended.
Presenting the award, Sonya Perkins, Chief Executive, Irish Arts Review commented, “We were looking for a craftsperson whose work demonstrated excellence and creativity and pushed the boundaries of their chosen discipline. We were also looking for someone who was at a point in their career where this award would provide both practical support and professional encouragement. In Orlaith Ross, we found a worthy winner and we have high hopes for her future”.
Since winning the inaugural Emerging Maker Award in 2008, ceramicist Nuala O’Donovan’s work has been acclaimed internationally, most recently at the International Ceramics Competition in Carouge, where her work was selected for exhibition at the Musée de Carouge.
“The Crafts Council of Ireland is delighted to work in partnership with the Irish Arts Review in presenting this award”, said Úna Parsons, Chief Executive, Crafts Council of Ireland. “We recognize how important it is to support graduates in transition from college life to building a career in the crafts industry and we wish Orlaith every success in the future”.
Generation, which showcases the very best new designers and makers on the island of Ireland, takes place at the National Craft Gallery until January 10th, 2010. Go to: http://www.ccoi.ie/gallery/exhibition.php?listing_ID=56
To download the Press Release click here: http://www.ccoi.ie/press/index.php
To see images from the Generation exhibition click here: http://www.ccoi.ie/gallery/exhibition.php?listing_ID=56 |
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