Past Exhibitions

Conjuring Form Portfolio Critical Selection 2021-22

Date

05.08.2022 to 29.10.2022

Time

10:00 am

Ticket Price

Free

Venue

DCCI Gallery

Launched at Doneraile Court 30th July 2021

When the potter throws a lump of clay, when the silversmith hammers a sheet of silver, when the basket maker and weaver prepare reeds and threads, they are conjuring forms from their mind and slowly allowing them to grow in their hands until the moment they come into being. The ultimate skill of the craftsman is knowing when the form has been reached. Knowing when to stop, when the work is done. The challenge for the maker is this marriage of mind and hand. Mastering a craft means learning the steps, developing and refining the technique and then subverting it to create something unique. To know the rules in order to break them. – Alice Stori Liechtenstein

The makers in PORTFOLIO have reached their high standard of practice through years of refinement. All of the designer makers in this exhibition typify the best in contemporary Irish practice, with deep understanding of their chosen materials and techniques, and mastery to conjure form. Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s PORTFOLIO Critical Selection is a biennial publication and exhibition of leading Irish contemporary design and craft, with makers selected for achieving excellence by comparative international standards. Conjuring Form is curated by Alice Stori Liechtenstein and produced by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland in partnership with the Office of Public Works.

Now in its 15th year, Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s PORTFOLIO programme is a select group of Ireland’s most talented designers and craftspeople. Inclusion is recognition of practitioners creating work to a standard to be considered worthy by museums, renowned galleries, and discerning collectors. DCCI’s PORTFOLIO programme has been instrumental in building the international reputations and commercial potential of Ireland’s best designer‐makers of contemporary craft. From the PORTFOLIO membership, a distinguished group of exceptional makers are chosen for Critical Selection 2021–2022. The benchmark for this elite group is achievement of excellence in contemporary craftsmanship and design by comparative international standards. Successful applicants will feature in a major touring exhibition and the iconic publication. Doors are opened to international awards, representation by renowned commercial galleries and work being purchased by prestigious collections and museums worldwide.

PORTFOLIO Critical Selection 2021–2022exhibition will be curared by Alice Stori Liechtenstein, launching at Doneraile Court in Cork from 30 July – 12 September, and will tour to prestigious venues in Ireland and Europe.

More on Conjuring Form and the exhibitors can be found HERE

Distinguished 2021 Jury members:

Jean Blanchaert, Belgian‐Italian gallerist, antiquarian,glass sculptor and illustrator. For the past 30 years, Jean has run his family’s gallery in Milan, which specialises in glass, ceramics, enamel and contemporary materials. He is a member of the curatorial committee of Venice Glass Week. In 2018, he curated the Best in Europe pavilion at Home Faber 2018 in Venice.

Juliana Cavaliero & Debra Finn, Directors of Cavaliero Finn, UK. Cavaliero Finn, a London-based gallery, has placed works in museum collections including the V&A, The Fitzwilliam Museum and Manchester Art Gallery.

Alice Stori Liechtenstein, Writer, design critic and curator. Alice is the founder of Schloss Hollenegg for Design, an international project based in Austria which supports design culture by offering an exhibition platform and residency programme to young emerging designers.

Juliana Cavaliero and Debra Finn: “We are very excited about being part of the judging process for Portfolio and the RDS Irish Craft Bursary. The imagination and creativity of Irish craft and the dialogue that it creates with rest of the world is hugely benefitted by programmes such as these. We are really looking forward to seeing the wealth of entries on offer.”

Portfolio raises the digital profile of Irish Makers.
A new focus and energy is being brought to the programme, it is now more important than ever to have a strong online presence. From 2021 onwards, our ambition is to raise the online profile of Portfolio and ensure that we reach a relevant global audience. The presence of Portfolio on the DCCI website will be highlighted. Content will be supported by a targeted digital marketing campaign driving traffic to the site.

Portfolio membership provides access to best in class mentoring.
Assistance to participants with developing their own marketing and business initiatives will be significantly increased. From 2021 onwards we will be implementing a more focused and targeted individual mentoring programme to help develop individuals’ practices and also learn to better generate selling opportunities. More on mentoring here >>

Recognising the quality of Portfolio creators.
We will provide participants with specially designed printed and digital content. This material will enable members to build the profile and desirability of their work by including it in their packaging and communications.

The annual RDS Irish Craft Bursary, valued at €10,000, is open to all makers in the Portfolio programme.
The RDS Irish Craft Bursary may be used for a wide range of career and professional development activities such as: further education and training; research; development of new work; mentoring; purchase of equipment; studio improvements; technology; websites and residencies. Each year the judges look for well thought out proposals demonstrating how the award could help develop a makers’ practice and career as well as being of benefit to Irish craft. The planned activity for the bursary must be taking place in 2021.