Past Exhibitions
‘Turning Turns 40’| September 4 – September 26, 2024
Craft NI Gallery was delighted to host and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Irish Woodturners Guild (IWG) with a curated exhibition featuring 40 exceptionally turned wood forms that demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and design, as well as carrying a message about the threat to the native Ash tree from Ash Dieback disease. Members from Chapters across the country including the local Chapters were represented including makers from Ulster Woodturning and the Crossborder Chapter.
The exhibition, entitled, ‘Turning Turns 40’, combined a technical challenge for all participants as well as the chance to mark this moment in the progress of Ash Dieback and its impact on ash trees on the island.
Participating makers:
Patricia Berns, Sean Byrne, Imelda Connolly, John Deaton, Stephen Dowie, Harry Emerson, Paul Finley, John Flynn, Kevin Geaney, Mike Gray, Graham Griffith, Eugene Grimley, Oliver Hackett, Philip Hart, Ger Hennessy, Emmet Kane, Anthony Keenan, Charley McCarthy, Tom McCosh, Sean McGann, Martin McNamara, David Miller, Alan Monaghan, Patrick Murphy, Hugh Nolan, Paddy O’Connor, Liam O’Neill, Seamus O’Reilly, Padraig Phelan, Jack Quearney, Liam Quirke, Kieran Reynolds, Noel Roche, Tom Ronayne, Donal Ryan, John Sinnott, Paul Spiers, Rob Steen, Jim Stevens, Louise Wilde
‘Reaction’ Exhibition| August 1 – August 31, 2024
The 2024 August Craft Month Exhibition, ‘Reaction’, opened at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast on August 1st and ran until August 31st. The event was a highlight of the much anticipated month-long celebration of craft which takes place across the island of Ireland in August, an exhibition that sought to celebrate and profile excellence in the NI craft sector.
The exhibition welcomed audiences with exciting work by talented local designer-makers, who responded to the theme Reaction. What reactions between materials made it possible for their body of work to come to life – was it a particular technique? Or was the makers’ response found in exploring their own creative process, ‘reacting’ to events and influences in the environment?
Exhibiting makers: Anne Butler, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Carla Pennie McBride, Celine Traynor, Cora Cummins, Corinne Price, Eleanor Wheeler, Fang Zhao, Hugh Cummins, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Janice Gilmore, Joel Smyth, Karena Ryan, Karl Harron, Kathleen Walsh, Maya Todd, Natasha Rollinson, Pennie Metcalfe, Claire and Karen Gibson from Red Earth Designs, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns and Sue Cathcart.
‘Glass Runway’ Exhibition| June 6 – July 25, 2024
Glass Runway was brought to NI craft audiences by the Glass Society of Ireland, in collaboration with The Council of Irish Fashion Designers – a unique exhibition that enabled glass artists and fashion designers from across the island to collaborate on the most surprising material you can wear – glass!
Showcasing the unexpected potential of glass and fashion, the participating artists use their skills not only to make, but to question the gender bias and champion inclusion: expect hot topics, hard truths, thought-provoking reflections and an unyielding focus on what beauty, gender and equality mean to different people. The exhibition will feature 20 glass artists and fashion designers showing collaborative and individual pieces which include glass bags, millinery, dresses and jewellery.
Partnerships between Irish fashion designers and glass artists included: Helen Hayes & Killian Schurmann; Aoife Harvey (NI) & Madeleine Hellier; Sarah Ward-Hendry & Róisín de Buitléar; Silvana Landa & Eleanor-Jane McCartney (NI); Ejay Griffin & Angela Brady, Sarah Foy & Alison Lowry (NI), Noema Damaris & Jennifer Butler.
Participating glass artists are: Meadhbh McIlgorm (NI), Kathryna Cuschieri, Ana Surdu, Maggie Napier (NI), Ruzica Ruane and Helen Hancock (NI).
QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition| February – May 10, 2024
Craft NI were delighted to partner with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) to bring to NI audiences the QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition.
QEST supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople across the UK through Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants and Apprenticeships. By means of this joint exhibition, craft audiences in Northern Ireland were able to see the work of 17 QEST Alumni who are based in or from the island of Ireland, representing a range of crafts including glass, handloom weaving, luthiery, willow sculpture, wrought iron putter making and silversmithing.
The participating QEST Alumni and their disciplines: Aaron Leach/Swifts Forge, wrought iron putter making; Andrea Spencer, glass; Alex Pengelly, textile design; Anne-Marie O’Sullivan/STUDIO AMOS, basketry; Bob Johnston, basket making and willow sculpture; Cara Murphy, silversmithing; Caitlin Murphy, silversmithing; Damien McKeown/Mourne Textiles, handloom weaving; James Adair, saddlery & leatherwork; Kurtis Scott/Pict Guitars, guitar making; Laura Quinn, glass; Lucy Cushley, saddlery; Mario Sierra/Mourne Textiles, handloom weaving; Patrick Davison, goldsmithing & silversmithing; Stephen McClenaghan/Hawthorne Lutherie, musical instrument making; Tara McArtney/Irish Artisan Yarn, textile design and making; Scott Benefield/Benefield Spencer Glass, glass.
‘Ag925 /Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold’| 2 November 2023 – 31 December 2023
The ‘Ag925 /Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold’ exhibition ran at Craft NI Gallery from November 2 until December 31, 2023.
Conveying the idea of precious metals but also hinting at creative journeys and innovative ways to incorporate these metals and/or colours in new work, and sometimes unexpected materials, this unique selling exhibition aimed to bring a glow to the shortest days of the year. See how the participating makers responded to the theme with a play upon the silver and gold hallmarks!
Exhibiting makers: Abbie Dixon, Aisling Higgins, Alison Lowry, Andrea Hayes, Anna Donovan, Anne Earls Boylan, Ariel Lavian, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Celine Traynor, Claire Mooney, David Cousley, Fiona Kerr, Gail Kelly, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Joel Smyth, Kathleen Walsh, Maggie Napier, Patricia Kelly, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers. Guest makers: Peter Meanley, Clodagh Molloy, Julie Usel, Stuart Cairns.
‘Makers Who Teach’| 5 October 2023 – 28 October 2023
The ‘Makers Who Teach’ exhibition featured work made by 29 craft makers who also work in educational settings. To chime with the new academic year, the exhibition took place during October 2023 in Craft NI Gallery, Belfast’s only dedicated crafts venue.
Recognising that many makers in Northern Ireland will teach others as part of their overall practice, whether it’s in classrooms, workshops and communities, this unique exhibition celebrated not only their creative journeys but also the talent from which their students benefit from.
Exhibiting makers: Aisling Higgins, Andrea Spencer, Carol Willey, Chris McCambridge, Dr. Chris Mc Hugh, Clare Hart, Clare Taggart, Dean Liggett, Deborah White, Gavin Campbell, Hazel Bruce, Heather McFadden, Helen Hancock, Helen Noble, Irene McBride, John McLaughlin, Lesley Alexandra, Lynsay-Erin Mercer, Mary Cowan, Michael Moore, Michelle McElhone, Millie Moore, Natasha Duddy, Nichola Dalton, Patricia Kelly, Roslyn O’Donnell, Sandra Robinson, Shauna McCann, Rosemary McCartney.
‘Pathways’| 3 August 2023 – 15 September 2023
‘Pathways’, the August Craft Month 2023 exhibition, opened on the 3rd August at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast and ran until the 15th September. Featuring some of the best in contemporary craft, the annual August Craft Month Exhibition aims to celebrate and profile excellence in Northern Irish craft.
Applicants were invited to respond to the theme of Pathways, whether this was interpreted as a series of connections, reflections of travels or environment, experiences or actions, a personal journey or a journey in making.
Exhibiting makers:
Adam Frew, Adele Pound, Anne Butler, Elizabeth Johnston, Fiona Kerr, Heather McFadden, Irene McBride, Karen Hamilton, Karena Ryan, Lauren Scott, Maya Todd, Neil Marlow, Patricia Kelly, Patricia Millar, Patrick Colhoun, Pennie Metcalfe, Red Earth Designs, Sam Gleeson, Samantha Moore, Sandra Robinson, Sarah Cathers, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Sue Cathcart, Tamzen Lundy Designs and Tracey Johnston.
‘Spring Collectors’ Showcase’| 23 May 2023 – 20 July 2023
‘Spring Collectors’ Showcase’ was a unique exhibition of one-of-a-kind pieces made by some of the most established designer-makers in Northern Ireland. The exhibition gave the public a rare opportunity to view and acquire work from silversmith Cara Murphy, renowned for her beautifully enamelled silver bowls, woodturner Mark Hanvey as he unveiled his new ‘Graft’ pieces, or new glass work by Andrea Spencer and Scott Benefield. New or award-winning designs by Patricia Millar, John McKeag, Peter Meanley, Alison Lowry, David Cousley, John Piekaar, Sarah Cathers, Michael Moore, Chris McHugh, Anna Smyth to name but a few made this event a perfect occasion to start (or add to) a cherished craft collection from local artists.
Jewellery got a special spotlight: Egle Banyte showed her Wave brooch, inspired by North European aesthetics; forward-thinking Anne Earls Boylan exhibited her new SLS colourful 3D print designs; and Celine Traynor took us on a time travel journey with her ‘Golden Years’ piece, a kinetic pendant made up of 24 ever increasing rings that represent the 24 years that she lived in her house on Canal Street, Newry, before it was sold.
The works, spanning across different craft disciplines, varied mediums and concepts, will give the public a thorough understanding, and hopefully a new appreciation of the talent, craftsmanship and skill available in Northern Ireland.
‘Collectibles and Curiosities’ Exhibition | 10 November 2022 – 30 December 2022
“Collectible and Curious”, two words that describe the history of our obsession with jewellery, precious materials and objects that tell stories about who we are and how we see ourselves.
For this exhibition, the Association of Contemporary Jewellers and Silversmiths NI brought together 18 contemporary jewellers and silversmiths from all over the world. Each piece related to the theme “Collectibles and Curiosities” representing a wide range of narratives and cultures.
The diverse approaches to the brief showed not only technical precision and a dynamic use of materials, they also reflected the makers’ artistry as storytellers. Jewellery is a statement to both challenge and delight; Collectible & Curious!
‘Paper Magic’ Exhibition | 22 September 2022 – 29 October 2022
The ‘Paper Magic’ exhibition focused on the medium of paper, one of the oldest and most familiar materials known to man, and its hidden potential of transformation. Through their artful mastery of skills such as cutting, pulping, folding, oiling and collaging, five talented makers revealed the magical properties of paper in this unique group show.
Exhibiting makers: Sue Cathcart, Jayne Cherry, Susan McKeever, Adele Pound, Emma Whitehead.
‘August Craft Month Showcase’ Exhibition | 11 August 2022 – 15 September 2022
The ‘August Craft Month Showcase’ exhibition, which takes place every year at Craft NI Gallery, is one of the most important highlights of August Craft Month, a unique event which features some of the best contemporary Northern Irish craft.
The 2022 winners were selected by Daniella Wells, the exhibition’s guest curator and prize judge. With over 20 years’ experience in the art market, Daniella is also a market consultant for the UK Crafts Council’s prestigious Collect annual craft fair. At the opening night of the exhibition, Daniella spoke about the joys and satisfactions of collecting craft and the important role of collectors in supporting a strong and varied craft sector.
Exhibitors: the 2022 exhibition showed works from Andrea Spencer, Anne Butler, Gail Kelly, Jakki Trainor, Leanne McCormack, Michael Moore, Patricia Millar, Rory Shearer, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns and Sue Cathcart.
‘Wool Works’ | 7 July 2022 – 5 August 2022
‘Wool Works’, an exhibition of contemporary textile design, feaured innovative work from Welsh, Finnish and Northern Irish textile artists, who have been working together since 2001.
Spearheaded by co. Down textile expert professor Jane McCann, the exhibition’s focus was wool and the way traditional motifs and techniques can be reinterpreted in a contemporary setting, embracing links between the cultural heritages of Wales, Ireland and Finland. The exhibits include unique hand-woven tapestries, woollen blankets, framed textile art, one-of-a-kind accessories and garments such as Irish style workwear jackets or house coats (with some of these unique pieces available for sale), and highlight techniques such as felting, free stitching, digital embroidery, knitting, hand weaving and plant dying.
‘Peter Meanley: New Works’ | 5 May 2022 – 11 June 2022
‘Peter Meanley: New Works’ featured new works by renowned salt glaze potter Peter Meanley, which he had developed over the last three years. Peter Meanley has won international acclaim for his abstract spouted pouring vessels and his mastery of the salt glazing technique. Formerly Head of Ceramics at the University of Ulster in Belfast, Peter has been awarded a PhD for researching salt glazing in 1999.
Peter’s work initially consisted of strikingly engineered teapots and other functional forms. In time, his focus and never tiring curiosity for the world around him and its possibilities led him to make new forms that can ‘contain liquid’ and can be used to pour from. Apart from his spouted pouring vessels, the exhibition showed Peter’s puzzle jugs. A technically complex piece, the puzzle jug has a perforated collar, making it impossible to pour from, unless the drinker knows there is a hole, or number of holes which they must cover with their fingers, to allow the liquid to flow without spilling. The puzzle jugs were Peter’s lockdown project which he found inspiration for in the early medieval puzzle jugs which served not so much as a drinking tool but as a drinking game (a well-known example of this puzzle jugs is the Exeter Jug, which dates back to 1300 AD).
‘Curved with intent’ | 3 February 2022 – 27 March 2022
Craft NI were delighted to welcome the public to ‘Curved with intent’, an exhibition of contemporary design in wood.
Wood as a construction material and man have had a very long relationship – not surprising since it is so extraordinarily versatile. The ability to create curved forms in wood is an example of its extreme adaptability to different needs and types of objects and construction, and it perfectly illustrated the theme of the exhibition – gentle and purposeful mastery that transforms a simple organic material into beautiful and/or functional craft objects.
Wood can be shaped in many ways, and the work displayed in the exhibition demonstrated both a variety of objects and methods, including carving, turning, laminating, steam bending and cutting from solid.
The participating designer-makers were David Cousley, Mark Hanvey, Ronan Lowery, Brian McKee and John Piekaar.
Each participating designer-maker spoke through their work to the audience of their own particular relationship with the material: the shapes they produced were more or less practically and/or aesthetically purposed. They were very deliberately envisaged – they were curved with intent.
‘The Gift – as Heirloom | 18 November 2021 – 24 December 2021
CRAFT NI were delighted to welcome ACJ NI to Craft NI Gallery for a second Christmas jewellery selling show. ACJNI brought the most accomplished new work from nine of their members and associates who are practising contemporary jewellers in Northern Ireland. The selected makers created neckpieces and earrings in response to the title of The Gift inspired by Lewis Hyde’s book of the same title.
Jewellery has a strong association with being gifted, usually as an act of love, devotion, or a memento to mark an occasion. It carries deep personal stories and powerful narratives that connect us through generations and time – an heirloom. The exhibition represented the richness of approaches and a diversity of materials, skilfully combined to create meaningful stories about our culture and values.
Participating jewellers were: Anne Earls Boylan, Jill Graham, Cameron & Breen, Clodagh Molloy, Lotus de Wit, Fiona Kerr, Camilla Prey, Eddie Doherty and Celine Traynor.
‘Shuttles & Shafts’ | 14 October 2021 – 11 November 2021
Craft NI were delighted to present the ‘Shuttles and Shafts’ exhibition, a visual journey into the archives of one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent linen manufacturers and an insight into the work of the design partnership that have brought some of their classic patterns into the 21st century.
Previously suppliers to the Ritz and the White Star Line, glass design plates from the Ewart-Lidell Mill in Co. Down, were donated to Belfast School of Art. Senior Research Fellow, Trish Belford and Professor of Design Barbara Dass have preserved, catalogued and digitised the plates for future generations.
Their Heritage Lottery funded project Reviving William Liddell’s Damask Designs preserved a unique collection of 1600 photographic glass plates discovered in 2007 when the Ewart-Liddell linen factory at Donacloney, Co Down was dismantled. Their initial research was exhibited at Lisburn Museum during the inaugural NI Linen Biennale in 2018, and the resulting contemporary textiles are now in production at William Clark and Sons of Upperlands.
‘ARRIVAL’ Exhibition | 9 September 2021 – 7 October 2021
In partnership with Ulster University and curated by Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art, Ulster Museum, Craft NI were delighted to present ‘ARRIVAL’, an exhibition showing the work of the Ceramics, Jewellery and Silversmithing Graduates of 2021.
The work selected presented a range of pieces including functional, non-functional, figurative and abstract works across a breadth of materials, exploring a range of concepts, skills and processes which range from hand building to the use of haptic software. The participating graduates were: Becca Cunningham, Jemma Knox, Erin Calvert, Joel Smyth, Rheia Bogle, Saorla Ní Chearúllain, Sorcha Groocock, Tracey Johnston and Leesa Espener.
‘RE-New’ Exhibition | 2 August 2021 – 3 September 2021
‘RE-New’, Craft NI’s annual August Craft Month Exhibition at Craft NI Gallery, celebrated the work of Northern Ireland’s makers. As we looked at the year ahead we wanted to celebrate a sense of renewal, so makers were invited to reflect on the theme ‘RE-New’. Submitted work was directly inspired by the theme itself, work taking the makers craft practice in a new direction, or existing work the makers wanted to showcase as part of our reopening, renewal celebration.
Launchpad Exhibition | 24 June 2021 – 22 July 2021
The Launchpad exhibition featured work from the four participants in Craft NI’s professional Development Programme, Launchpad 2020-21: Anne Butler (Ceramics), Anna Smyth (Ceramics), Claire Skelton (Jewellery and Metals) and Claire Mooney (Jewellery and Metals). The Craft NI programme was developed with funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland to support makers through training and mentoring in developing their craft practice.
Emerging Talent | 17 May 2021 – 17 June 2021
In partnership with Ulster University and curated by Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art, Ulster Museum, we were delighted to present the work of the Ceramics, Jewellery and Silversmithing Graduates of 2020. The work selected presented a range of works including functional, non-functional, figurative and abstract works across a breadth of materials, exploring a range of concepts, skills and processes.
PINNED | 2 November 2020 – 2 January 2021
Craft NI was delighted to host the first group exhibition from the Association for Contemporary Jewellers and Silversmiths NI (ACJNI) from 2 November 2020 to 2 January 2021. Pinned presented the work of 23 local jewellers and silversmiths who have each responded to the exhibition’s theme to produce one-of-a-kind pieces beyond the scope of their usual commission or production work.
The exhibition featured over 50 variations on the idea of a brooch, with versions in both precious and non-precious materials. Traditionally set stones contrast with re-purposed vintage tins and toys, precision geometry meets abstract forms. Gold, silver and gemstones sit alongside found objects in unexpected interpretations that demonstrate technical accomplishment, innovation and creativity.
Perfectly timed ahead of an extraordinary Christmas season 2020, all the works were for sale. With prices starting under £70, the show offered a wonderful opportunity to select a unique piece and support a local business.
UNLOCKED – Opening Friday 7 August 2020
Taking centre stage in August Craft Month 2020, this exhibition showcased the work of makers currently practicing in Northern Ireland and NI makers working elsewhere. The selected craft pieces were created in response to the theme ‘Unlocked’. Makers were asked to exhibit work created during the pandemic lockdown; or as a wider interpretation of the theme ‘Unlocked’.
Due to the year’s circumstances, there was no public exhibition launch – but instead we went digital! This online video recording of ‘Unlocked’ was useful for those who couldn’t visit the gallery, allowing them to view the exhibition from the comfort of their own home.
Bernadette Tuite – ceramics and glass, exhibited in ‘Unlocked’ for August Craft Month 2020 to represent Cork Craft and Design and NI’s own Claire Mooney – silversmith had been selected to exhibit her work with Cork Craft and Design in partnership with August Craft Month and Cork Craft Month.
‘Unlocked’ exhibition opened on Friday 7 August 2020 in Craft NI Gallery: 115-119 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FF. Opening hours: 10:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday, showing work from twenty talented Northern Ireland makers across a range of disciplines.