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2021 RDS Craft Awards Announced

  • 26 March 2021

Largest annual prize fund for Irish craft makers; Major boost for five emerging talents; €50,000 in prizes for craft skills & business development

2021 RDS Craft Awards Announced

Five of Ireland’s most talented emerging craft makers were today (26 March 2021) recognised with a €10,000 bursary each for the development of their craft and/or business skills as part of the 2021 RDS Craft Awards. One of the most prestigious awards in the craft sector, this year the RDS Craft Awards recognised makers ranging from fashion to furniture, knife-making to glass-making. With a total fund of €50,000, the awards are the largest annual prize fund for craft makers in Ireland and are given at a critical time in early professional careers. In addition to the €10,000 bursary, the award winners are provided with a free stand at Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair held in the RDS in December. This year’s recipients are:

  • Ciara Allen (Fashion Design) Dublin
  • Sam Gleeson (Bladesmith) Co. Clare
  • Jenny Mulligan (Glass), Currently based in Sweden
  • Paul O’Brien (Furniture), Co. Cork
  • Katie Spiers (Glass), Dublin/Wicklow

 

Dr Jennifer Goff of the National Museum of Ireland chaired an experienced independent judging panel: “The panel was overwhelmed with the quality of work to choose this year’s winners from. Craft makers from Ireland are increasingly sought after around the world. Irish craft is having a moment and this year’s winners, and indeed the longlist too, are testament to that. I know that all five winners will use the prize money to accelerate their career progression and I look forward to seeing their future success.”

 

Geraldine Ruane, RDS Chief Executive said, “We are delighted to contribute to the development and growth of standards of excellence in the craft sector through enabling these talented makers to excel in their careers. For generations the RDS has supported Irish craft makers and today the craft sector in Ireland is a dynamic and vibrant one. Irish craft businesses are characteristically small in scale and are geographically widespread, however the industry is a key employer and makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy. The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), which the RDS helped establish 50 years, have over 3,000 registered client enterprises and engages with over 150 retailers across the country who specialise in selling Irish craft products. It is wonderful for the RDS to support the craft sector with a €50,000 prize fund in the fiftieth year of DCCoI.”

 

The bursaries were presented following a competitive virtual interview process in mid-March The funds can be spent on further education and training, research, development of new work, mentoring, purchase of equipment, studio improvements, technology, website and residencies. To be eligible to apply for the RDS Craft Awards, emerging craft makers must have won a Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Future Makers Award or Support in the preceding year.

 

2021 RDS Craft Awards Bursary Winners

 

Ciara Allen – Fashion Design

Ciara is a recent graduate from NCAD and has established a strong sustainable brand creating and selling her bright and bold unisex fashion pieces. With a focus on ‘slow’ fashion, she creates her own unique digital prints and silhouettes which culminate in contemporary and confident fashion for people of all genders and body sizes. Currently undertaking a business course, Ciara wants to grow her brand and create new collections. She plans to spend her bursary money on new equipment, fabric research, materials for her new collection as well as branding and packaging. www.ciaraallendesigns.com

 

Sam Gleeson – Bladesmith

Sam Gleeson is a bladesmith based in Co Clare. Using both metal and woodworking techniques, and often incorporating reclaimed materials and ocean plastics, he creates exceptionally beautiful and functional knives for culinary use. Sam who is also a chef, plans to open a bladesmithing teaching facility where he will share his craft skills with others. He will use his bursary money to attend a high-level forge-welding course in the United States, to undertake the research and development of new work, to purchase new equipment and the creation of promotional content.  www.thisiswhatido.ie

 

Jenny Mulligan – Glass

NCAD graduate, Jenny Mulligan is an Irish glass artist who has recently completed her studies in Riksglasskolan, the National School of Glass in Sweden with a focus on both hot and cold glass. Her artistic practise focuses on traditional techniques of glassblowing, cutting and engraving, and applying those techniques in contemporary ways to challenge traditional customs. Her finished forms are exquisite. Her high-polish and deep-cut series ‘Confluence’ explores the movement and essence of line. Jenny ultimately wants to build a workshop that enables her to take coldworking commissions from other glass artists. She will spend the RDS bursary money on purchasing new equipment, on developing, creating and promoting new products for sale online and in retail outlets in both Ireland and Scandinavia. Jenny will also rent hotshop blowing time and assistance to experiment with and make bigger glass pieces for exhibition. www.jennymulliganglass.com

 

Paul O’Brien – Furniture

Paul O’Brien is a furniture designer and maker based in Kinsale, Co. Cork. With a background in visual art, he trained as a furniture maker in London before returning home to Ireland to work with Joseph Walsh Studio for two years before establishing his own business in 2017. His approach to design is contemporary, minimal and elegant. Paul endeavours to make beautifully crafted furniture with a lightness of touch incorporating subtle details such as shadow lines and organic curves. He plans to grow his business, create new work and move into the international export market. Paul will use the bursary money to purchase new equipment which will allow him to increase the scope of what he could make in a more efficient manner. www.modet.ie

 

Katie Spiers – Glass

Katie Spiers graduated from NCAD in 2019 with a degree in ceramics and glass. She specialises in lampworking and painting on glass. Katie draws with glass to create beautiful sculptural birds which she incorporates into dramatic installations with sound and lighting. The fragility of the sculptures speaks to the pressures the modern world has exerted on the dwindling numbers of birds in Ireland. Her work specifically looks at endangered bird species in Ireland such as the Curlew and Corncrake. Katie will use her bursary money to train with master lampworker Ferran Collado in Barcelona. She also wants to invest in a better studio space and equipment where people can see her working, on a new website and promotional video. www.instagram.com/katiespiersart/

 

The RDS mission is to see Ireland thrive culturally and economically. The Arts are an important way in which it realises this mission. Craft is one of three areas in the Arts in which the Society’s mission finds voice. For generations the RDS has supported Irish craft sector. Today’s RDS Craft Awards are a continuation of this support for the sector.

 

2021 Judging Panel: Dr Jennifer Goff (Curator, National Museum of Ireland & Chair), Stevan Hartung (Furniture Maker & Designer), Siobhán Riordan (Managing Director, Alan Ardiff Jewellery), Mary Palmer (Textile Artist), Nuala O’ Donovan (Ceramic Artist).

 

See www.rds.ie/craft for more information

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