Design & Crafts Council Ireland is proud to announce From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay, an exhibition that celebrates the vitality, ambition, and global significance of contemporary Irish ceramics.

From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay brings together leading ceramic artists working in Ireland today, charting how earth becomes expression—how clay, shaped by hand, fire, and imagination, continues to evolve as one of Ireland’s most dynamic and vital art forms.

Curated by writer, curator, and ceramic scholar John Goode, the exhibition presents an expansive and richly textured view of contemporary Irish ceramic practice. It spans vessel-based traditions alongside sculptural, conceptual, and experimental approaches. Together, the works on display convey material intelligence, environmental awareness, cultural memory, and innovation rooted in profound craft knowledge.

“From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay situates contemporary Irish ceramics within an international field of artistic and material inquiry. The artists in this exhibition work at the intersection of deep craft knowledge and conceptual ambition, engaging with global concerns such as environmental responsibility, cultural memory, and the evolving boundaries of ceramic practice. Rooted in Ireland’s landscapes and traditions yet outward-looking in approach, their work contributes distinctive perspectives to international ceramic discourse. Together, these artists affirm Irish ceramics as a dynamic, innovative, and influential presence within contemporary art worldwide.”

Excellence Across a National Community of Makers

The exhibition showcases an exceptional roster of artists, reflecting the breadth, diversity, and excellence of contemporary ceramic practice in Ireland.

Together, these artists reveal Irish ceramics as a field defined by technical mastery, conceptual rigour, and a powerful sense of place—one that continues to grow, adapt, and challenge expectations on both national and international stages.