The Irish Times, Sat, Mar 2, 2019
The multi-venue European exhibition of contemporary crafts in two Kilkenny locations features 74 makers from 19 European countries, including seven Irish craftmakers.
For the 2018 edition of the European Prize for Applied Arts, artists were invited to draw inspiration from the paradoxical nature of a dual theme of monumentality and fragility, proposed by BeCraft (previously World Crafts Council – Belgique Francophone). WCC-Europe president Louise Allen observes: “As we navigate our way through uncertain times, this exhibition seeks to remind us of the fragility of our shared European community,” and exhibiting in Kilkenny “provides an environment for exchange and dialogue that contributes to our shared understanding of how culture can help to build community and bring cohesion”.The showcase of over 170 exceptional objects, in partnership with the Office of Public Works, will be displayed at two locations: the National Design & Craft Gallery, Castle Yard and Kilkenny Castle. Over 600 craftmakers from across Europe responded to the open call, and 74 were selected. Ireland is the only country to host this exhibition outside of Belgium.
Ceramicist Nicola Kelly uses monumentality and fragility to explore loss and death, here showing a monument of 512 perilously stacked porcelain objects, corresponding to the number of days her partner survived from diagnosis to death.
Design & Craft Council of Ireland, Monumentality / Fragility
European Prize for Applied Arts
Delicate robustness, provocative innocence, abundance and vulnerability... Artists were invited to draw inspiration from the paradoxical nature of the dual theme, Monumentality / Fragility, proposed by BeCarft (formerly: the World Crafts Council – Belgique Francophone, WCC-BF) for the 2018 edition of the European Prize for Applied Arts. Six hundred makers from across the Europe applied to the open call from which 77 makers from 19 European countries were selected by an expert jury. The seven Irish participants will be jewellers Eimear Conyard and Annmarie Reinhold; basketmaker Joe Hogan; silversmith Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill; ceramicist Nicola Kelly; and textile artists Caroline Schofield and Niki Collier.
The European Prize for Applied Arts aims to reward the best creations of contemporary expression in applied arts and craftsmanship. The exhibitors and the winners of the WCC-BF Master Prize (€3,500) and the WCC-Europe Young Talent Prize (€3,000) are chosen by international experts on the basis of criteria of artistic merit, technical mastery and innovation. Taking place every three years, the European Prize for Applied Arts exhibition was launched in the Grand Hall, Mons Anciens Abattoirs in Belgium on 20th October 2018. An initiative of the WCC-BF in partnership with: Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles; the City of Mons; WCC-Europe and WCC-International.
Meath Chronicle, Tuesday, 20th November, 2018
Kilkenny to host international contemporary crafts show next year.
Waterford City & County Council's Arts resource site
DCCOI, Press Releases
Significant European exhibition to open across two locations in Kilkenny in February 2019
The final installation in The Design Yard, Kilkenny…..