2020 RDS Craft Awards Announced

Major boost for five emerging Irish craft makers; €50,000 in prizes for skills & business development

Five emerging Irish craftspeople were each awarded a €10,000 bursary for the development for their burgeoning craft and business skills as part of the 2020 RDS Craft Awards (announced June 22, 2020). Róisín de Buitléar chaired an experienced judging panel that awarded the total prize fund of €50,000. These Awards are the largest annual prize fund for craft makers in Ireland and awarded at a critical time in early professional careers. This year’s recipients are:

• Lucy Cushley (Collar, Harness & Saddle Making) Co. Down
• Éilís Murphy (Bookbinding) Co. Clare
• Mark Newman (Jewellery), currently based in Birmingham
• Izzy O’Reilly (Fashion), Dublin
• Róisín Pierce (Fashion), Dublin

The bursaries were presented following an examination of work and an interview process in the RDS in March The funds can be spent on further education and training, research, development of new work, mentoring, purchase of equipment, studio improvements, technology, their 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. 

Michael Duffy RDS Chief Executive said, “The RDS has a long tradition in supporting Irish craft makers and we are delighted to contribute to the development and growth of the standards of excellence in Irish craft through enabling these talented people excel in their careers. The craft sector is an integral way in which the RDS fulfils our longstanding mission, to see Ireland thrive culturally and economically. We look forward to seeing all this year’s winners achieve in the future, both in creating beautiful pieces and in developing their businesses.”

A judging panel of five craft and design professionals chaired by Irish artist, Róisín de Buitléar, reviewed the applications and shortlisted twelve candidates to interview in the RDS. Physical examples of their work were shown to the panel and five winners were selected following two days of discussions. In addition to the €10,000 bursary, the 2020 RDS Craft Awards winners are provided with a free stand at Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair held in the RDS in December.

 

2020 RDS Craft Awards Bursary Winners

Lucy Cushley – Collar, Harness & Saddle Maker

Lucy is dedicated to the craft of saddlery and plans to complete her City & Guilds Bridle, Saddle and Harness making exams before setting her up own workshop with a small shop front area to display and sell products and discuss bespoke orders with clients. She plans to spend her bursary money on the purchase of industrial quality new machinery and the purchase of essential leather and metal accessory materials.

www.saddlerystudent.com

 

Éilís Murphy – Bookbinding

Éilís has a BA in Fine Art (Print) from the National College of Art & Design. In 2003, an American bookbinder came to her college and taught a module in bookbinding - Éilís was hooked and has been binding books ever since.  Along the way she trained with the Society of Bookbinders (UK), Frauke Schroeder (Berlin) and West Dean College (UK), and has volunteered with the Paper Conservation Department in the National Gallery of Ireland. Her bookbinding involves the use of traditional techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries combined with contemporary design and her own artistic innovation. Éilís plans to use the Bursary money to research and develop a ready-made range of handmade books as well as to undertake a 10-day course in book design and production in London. In the future she hopes to concentrate more on limited-edition art books.

www.foldedleaf.ie

Mark Newman – Jewellery

Following a degree in Craft Design: Jewellery & Metalwork in NCAD, Mark Newman completed the Higher Diploma in Goldsmithing & Jewellery Design with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland in 2019. He is currently completing a BA in the Birmingham School of Jewellery specialising in Design for Industry. As well as making by hand, he also uses CAD and 3D printing to push the boundaries of his work. Mark draws inspiration from man-made systems and civil engineering. Winning the bursary will allow him to become an artist-in residence at the Birmingham School of Jewellery for the next two years where he will continue to learn new techniques, make new ranges of work and gain experience as an educator. He will invest in new equipment and precious materials to create new work as well as branded packaging and display materials. He also intends to undertake another course in order to increase his breadth of skills.

www.marknewmanjewellery.com

Izzy O’Reilly – Fashion

Izzy graduated from the National College of Art & Design with a BA in Fashion Design in 2019. She was the Overall Student Future Makers Winner last year. She aspires to provide tactile contemporary design which challenges the traditional concepts of fashion design, craft and tailoring in Ireland. Her pieces are individually hand-made using materials sourced in recycling centres. Izzy will put the bursary money towards paying the tuition fees to complete her Masters in Fashion Design in either London or Antwerp before returning to Ireland to set up her own business.

www.izzyoreilly.ie

Róisín Pierce – Fashion

Róisín’s work draws from Irish historical references and traditional hand textile techniques, yet her method of making clothes is far from traditional. Each piece of work is individually hand-crafted using her modernised hand-manipulation, finished and constructed through zero waste techniques she has developed. Focusing on an innovative approach to textiles and construction, she won the Overall Emerging Maker Award in Future Makers 2019 and since has collaborated with three Chanel ateliers for a special project showcasing at the Villa Noailles in France, Autumn 2020.

Róisín plans to spend the bursary money to commission Irish lacemakers with the intention of creating new work that keeps Irish identity, culture and past heritage alive by implementing it in a contemporary way for a new generation. She will also be investing in sustainable fabrics and commissioning a graphic designer.

www.roisinpierce.com/

2020 Judging Panel: Róisín de Buitléar (Artist & Chair), Annie Warburton (CEO Cockpit Arts, London & Vice Chair), Sara Flynn (Artist), Stevan Hartung (Furniture Maker & Designer), Siobhán Riordan (Managing Director, Alan Ardiff Jewellery). See www.rds.ie/craft