IRISH CRAFT IS A SENSATION AT LONDON's SAATCHI GALLERY
26th May 2010
 Ceramist, Sara Flynn 'Pair of Double-Hipped Vessels'
With an increase of over 300% on sales, year on year from 2009, this critical success further reinforces Ireland’s reputation as a world-class source of contemporary fine craft. This international success represents not only a selection of Ireland’s finest craft, but also the whole concept of creative Ireland as a source of cultural and economic potential.
The Crafts Council of Ireland’s National Craft Gallery, presented the work of 8 contemporary Irish makers at COLLECT, selected from the Irish Craft Portfolio. They were: Sara Flynn, ceramics;
Joe Hogan, basketmaking;
Frances Lambe, ceramics;
John Lee, furniture;
Nest Design, furniture;
Nuala O'Donovan, ceramics;
Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill, metal
; Mandy Parslow, ceramics.
Among the success stories for Irish makers in London last week:
• Joe Hogan’s incredible Irish baskets were bought by Adrian Sassoon, one of Europe’s leading gallerists.
• Frances Lambe was offered a show of her exquisite ceramics in the prestigious Galerie Hélène Porée in Paris, and her entire exhibition was sold out.
• Ceramicists Mandy Parslow and Sara Flynn had to bring over extra work in their hand luggage, most of which they also sold.
• Mandy Parslow was commissioned by Lady de Rothschild and has sold even more work since returning, to COLLECT clients.
• Nuala O’Donovan’s exhibition completely sold out and she was asked to show with Flow Gallery in London in 2011. She and Sara Flynn are currently in discussion with two leading European galleries who are interested in representing them. Nuala has so many commissions from COLLECT that she’ll need to work solidly for the next few months to deliver.
• John Lee and Nest Design both sold substantial pieces of furniture, and John has a further commission from the show.
• Demand was so great that Irish work was sold by photograph to buyers in London from the Irish Craft Portfolio exhibition in Kilkenny.
With the thousands of makers and graduates who emerge each year in Europe, and the small amount of makers that each gallery represents, it is a huge achievement to have galleries at the highest level showing this kind of interest in Irish craft.
Further Media Information on COLLECT:
Christine Monk | Irish Arts Publicity |087 675 5329 | christinemonk@eircom.net
Further Media Information on Crafts Council of Ireland:
Susan Brindley | Crafts Council of Ireland |056 779 6152 | susan@ccoi.ie
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. COLLECT 2010 ran in London’s Saatchi Gallery from 14 - 17 May.
Through its presentation of work from the best international applied artists, COLLECT has become a prestigious event in the international cultural calendar gaining the respect and support of many private collectors, museum curators and galleries.
2. The National Craft Gallery
The Crafts Council of Ireland’s flagship exhibition space which is housed in the beautifully restored 18th Century stables of Kilkenny Castle. It exhibits a programme of groundbreaking national and international contemporary craft and develops exhibitions that tour museums and galleries worldwide.
3. Irish Craft Portfolio
This publication represents contemporary craftwork created by Irish makers that combines the highest quality craftsmanship with a consideration of material and technique that sits comfortably on an international stage. The craftwork featured in the publication was chosen by an international selection panel. The work illustrated as part of the Irish Craft Portfolio publication and exhibited throughout 2010 will serve to further enhance Ireland’s reputation as a world-class source of contemporary fine craft.
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