They're off to the Windy City, but they won't be packing any Aran sweaters. Michael Kelly on some pioneering artists.
Ask any American what words come to mind when they hear the phrase "Irish crafts" and they will most likely say "Waterford Crystal" or "Aran sweaters". Fifteen Irish artists from a broad range of craft disciplines will try to alter that perception when they travel to Chicago's historic Navy Pier for the International Expositions of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art (Sofa). Sofa is an annual international art fair for contemporary craft and applied art at which almost 100 international galleries and dealers display work.
Last year more than 35,000 people attended the event, and although Irish people have exhibited at it in the past, this year there will be an official Irish exhibition, hosted by the National Craft Gallery. The artist Brian Kennedy, who had the unenviable task of selecting the 15 exhibition pieces, will be acting as curator and giving a talk at the event. Kennedy selected beautifully crafted pieces in glass, textiles, wood, metal and ceramics from artists such as Kevin O'Dwyer, Angela O'Kelly, Liam Flynn, Cormac Boydell, Denis Brown and Joe Hogan.
Helen Carroll of the National Craft Gallery says that Sofa represents a massive opportunity for the artists selected. "We are doing this event with a view to introducing our artists to international collectors, but also part of our role is to help establish a profile for Irish contemporary art internationally. There is such a strong collectors' market over there, whereas in Ireland it is in its infancy. We want to show collectors from around the world the sort of things that are happening in Irish crafts."
Joseph Walsh from Riverstick, in Co Cork, was selected as one of two Irish furniture-makers to attend Sofa. He is excited about the opportunity to exhibit abroad. "We sell a few pieces internationally, but mainly we get recognition in Ireland. This is by far the most significant international recognition that we have received."
It's possible to measure just how significant by assessing the effort that has gone into his exhibit, a 200kg olive ash collector's cabinet. "I would imagine we put up to 1,200 hours into its creation, not including my own thought process in terms of design. It's a huge undertaking, but then this is a one-of-a-kind bespoke piece."
Walsh views Sofa as something far more subtle than your average furniture exhibition. "We wouldn't be expecting to come home with a list of orders or anything. It's the start of a very long process. You might get to meet a collector who will size you up and then hope to see you back next year. And then maybe in two or three years you might get a commission. That's sort of how it works - it's the start of an education process." ...
See www.sofaexpo.com