Contemporary makers bring rural archive film to life
Celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich craft landscape this summer as archive films come to life in the studios of some of our finest contemporary makers. Featuring stone carving, basket weaving, furniture making, tools and hand woven textiles, Film Makers highlights the
relationship between historical skills, archive and contemporary
making. Visitors to R-Space Gallery will find the newly commissioned
pieces displayed alongside the archive footage that inspired them and a
new film by TACA of the makers at work. Film Makers shows how
contemporary craft skills reference the past, both in their use of
traditional skills and in how techniques change and evolve over time.
The collaboration emphasises the value of craft makers in the province
and records a sample of their activities for future generations to enjoy
through archive film.
Opening Reception Saturday 30 July 2-4pm
Continues until 26th August, Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm
As part of
August Craft Month 2016
, five contemporary local makers have been invited to respond to Unlocking Film Heritage footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive to produce new work for this engaging exhibition:
Sharon Adams’ practice explores the theme of work and tools. Using wood, metal and textiles, she makes functionless tools which invite the viewer to imagine what they might be for and comments on the value of skilled making.
Sheena Devitt carves into stone and slate to create site specific sculptural artworks. The designs are inspired by and respond to the site’s topography and history, its orientation and present inhabitants.
Alison Fitzgerald
has been weaving willow since moving to Ireland over 25 years ago. Her
baskets are admired internationally for their subtle blends of natural
bark colours, strong curves and tactile qualities.
Nicola Gates is the founder of Olla Nua, a small weaving studio creating hand woven textiles that add warmth, comfort and tactility to the modern home and accessories that can be carried or worn. The name ‘Olla Nua’ is derived from the Irish words for ‘new wool’, reflecting Nicola’s aim to interpret a traditional material and techniques in a modern and vibrant way.
Ronan Lowry runs “Design Onion” a young energetic furniture design and manufacture studio formed in 2007. Working mainly to commission for both private and corporate clients, they create unique and innovative pieces of bespoke furniture fusing contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship and high quality materials.
The makers have been filmed by TACA,
a new photography and film studio specialising in documenting the
creative process. Photographer Simon Mills and film maker Lorna Milligan
have collaborated on projects capturing art, design, craft and culinary
practices across the UK and internationally.