"In the poetic hands of Joe Hogan, the driftwood collar of a basket sinks as if on the beachy sea-shore into the recess of woven ash... The sea is in the very glaze of Jack Doherty's pots…. There is an extraordinary rhythm to the forms of Joseph Walsh’s Enignum chair.." - Professor Simon Olding, Director of the Crafts Study Center, University for the Creative Arts, UK. From the Irish Craft Portfolio 2011 Publication.

For the first time, courtesy of the Crafts Council of Ireland, we get to enjoy a showcasing of contemporary work by some of Ireland's leading craft makers. The council will hold an exhibition at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in Dublin from the 24th to the 28th of November. The exhibition will consist of a selection of work from the Irish Craft Portfolio 2011 from the country's most internationally-recognised makers.

"Supporting emerging and established craft makers is a key element of our activities, especially during Year of Craft in Ireland," said Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Crafts Council of Ireland. "This exciting exhibition which showcases the very best of Irish craft on the national and international stage encourages the accessibility of craft to both collectors and consumers."

"We are delighted to be showing work in this beautiful and prestigious setting," said Ciara Garvey, Development Manager, Collector & Tourism Programmes at the Crafts Council of Ireland. “For many visitors, it may be their first experience of unique, finely crafted objects. We hope that our presence in the RHA will generate a heightened understanding of the outstanding skill and beauty that contemporary fine craft requires."

Here's who's involved in the exhibition -

John Lee was recently commissioned to design and make the new Presidential Inauguration Chair.
A piece by Michael McCrory was presented to Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Ireland this year.
Joseph Walsh was very well received at last year’s Design Miami with his “Enignum Canopy Bed” selling for a record price.
Many of the exhibitors are in the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection thereby sealing their work as both contemporary collectables and future antiques.

Other makers represented in this exhibition include: Denis Brown, Jack Doherty, Dunleavy Bespoke, Peter Fulop, Karl Harron, Catherine Keenan, Frances Lambe, Sabrina Meyns, Mandy Parslow and Inga Reed.

www.irishcraftportfolio.ie