Images: Kathleen Moroney, Tatiana Dobos, Paul Griffin – Ceramics Ireland Professional Practice Award 2023 winners.
Clay/Works Ceramics Ireland features the work of over 80 makers from all over the country. It encompasses a diverse range of ceramic pieces, including functional, decorative, wall panels, and sculptural forms. Feltmakers Ireland member Deirdre Crofts has two pieces in the show.
Ceramic Piece by Deirdre Crofts – Photograph by Lorna Cady
The exhibition is open seven days a week, through the 30th of June.
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Artists, designers and researchers mainly working in the medium of Paper and/or Textile art are invited to respond to an open call for participation in the International Paper & Textile Biennial 2024 (IPTB24) – Kunststichting Perspektief vzw, which runs from the 5th to the 13th of October 2024.
The deadline is the 15th of July.
Location: Cultural Community Center “Den Breughel”, Wespelaarsesteenweg 85, 3150 Haacht, Belgium.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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Homo Faber 2024 is a celebration of contemporary craftsmanship curated by the Michelangelo Foundation. This September, weave your way across San Giorgio Maggiore island to see up close more than 800 objects handcrafted by over 400 skilled artisans from 50 countries across the world. The exhibited objects celebrate the key milestones in human life explored in 10 exhibition spaces, which also feature live artisan demonstrations.
When: 1 – 30 September 2024 Where: Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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The open call for the Fiberart International 2025 exhibition is now open.
Fiberart International is a series of juried exhibitions held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is open to textile artists worldwide. It seeks to exhibit the best of contemporary art and invites submissions that reflect a wide range of works related to the fibre medium. The exhibition is recognized worldwide as a benchmark that documents trends and innovations in the field. It aims to include innovative work rooted in traditional fibre materials, structure, processes, and history, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between fibre and other creative disciplines.
The exhibitions will be on view at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, from May 30 to August 30, 2025, and at Brew House Artsfrom June 20 to August 30, 2025.
This call is open to artists at any stage of their career, who are located within the United States or abroad. All work must be either fibre in content or executed using a fibre technique.
Editor’s Note: Fiberart International is triannual – it happens every three years. In previous years, this show has drawn artists from all over the world. There are artists’ interviews and videos of the prior show here – https://fiberartspgh.org/fiberart-international-2022/
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Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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Game of Shrooms is a worldwide annual ‘Art Treasure Hunt’ created by an artist named Daniel Attaboy. Artists from all over the world hide their original mushroom-themed artworks in public places. Then, they give hints (often on social media) for others to find AND KEEP!
You can hide art and/or you can find art!
When: the 8th of June, 2024.
Where: All over the world.
Other parts of the world are covered in mushrooms! For more information or to add your participation pin to the map, visit their website – https://yumfactory.com/gameofshrooms/
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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Success and Failure are the products of the same process.
I enjoy the magical process of felting. Experimenting with different colours, mixing and blending of natural little fibres that are joined together into an inseparable fabric gives a feeling of mindfulness and satisfaction.
Karena Ryan
Karena Ryan – ‘Eclipsed’
‘Eclipsed’ represents a time to bask in the glow – be luminous.
Over 5000 years ago our ancient Irish astronomers were predicting solar eclipses and welcomed this festival of light with the world’s oldest known solar eclipse carved on stone megaliths at Loughcrew Cairn, County Meath. What may have been important has been overshadowed by what actually matters and what now radiates are new opportunities and fresh beginnings.
Annika Berglund
Annika Berglund – ‘Getting to know the other’
In life, between birth and death, we experience many ups and downs; we feel joy and despair.
However much we would like to only have the good times, they would not be the same if things were never bad. Achievement is not as satisfying without the risk of failure.
Focussing on the positive but accepting the balance of opposing forces in our lives might be a path to harmony and growth.
Marie Dunne
Marie Dunne – ‘Lava flow’
The volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland in March 2024 was the inspiration for my piece ‘Lava Flow’. Hot and Cold. Fire and Ice.
Elaine Peden
Elaine Peden – ‘Formations in Colour’
“A life lived in colour where there is “”no opposite””. I am currently investigating the abstraction of the idea of ‘Opposite’, looking at the absence of colour.
How colour can create an emotional response and when colour is blended.
‘Opposite’ becomes ‘One'”
Marika Miklosi Manning
Marika Miklosi Manning – ‘Felted study, untitled’
The challenge here was to combine felt work with another material of opposing characteristics and create a harmonious piece of work. I chose nylon string 0.50mm thick/ 12kg, usually used for suspending objects or fishing, etc. I see this piece as a study to see how the two materials can be combined to complement each other. The soft felt as a background to the qualities of the unyielding nylon string, which, through that combination, creates patterns of transparent 3D circles.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. On Sunday, the 26th the show closes at 2 PM.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh – ‘A circle in a square’
Without opposites, there is no life For without darkness, there is no light For without roughness, there is no softness For without inside, there is no outside For without rain, there is no rainbow. Opposites attract to create life
My piece is created to surprise, intrigue and engage the visitors. Each visitor is encouraged to use their flashlight to investigate the inside of the wool felted tunnel. They will then discover the harbour of Dalkey under a rainbow after the rain. The front of the frame is voluntarily dark to reveal an explosion of colours while you venture inside. Using those contrasts, I show how opposites attract and create a new dimension.
Helena Mc Guinness
Helena Mc Guinness – ‘Eye of the storm’
‘Opposites Attract’- based on a raindrop caught between two weather fronts. A storm on one side of the piece and bright sunshine on the other. A rainbow forms, made up of many raindrops. In this piece, ‘The Eye Of The Storm’, we see a double rainbow. So joyous in the sky!
Eithne O’Dea
Eithne O’Dea – ‘Night and Day’
When I thought about the exhibition theme, ‘Opposites Attract’, the term ‘Night and Day’ came into my mind- you can’t have one without the other. The recent solar eclipse developed this thought further, and the fanciful image of the Moon passing the Sun was born!
Eva Salamon
Eva Salamon – ‘Law of Nature’
Something new is always born out of decay: Death follows Life, and Life follows Death…
These two elements are constantly at work, form an eternal cycle, drawn to each other because they cannot exist without one another…
I dedicate this piece/artwork to my mother, who just returned to this cycle.
Juliane Gorman
Juliane Gorman – ‘Balancing’
My artwork, ‘Balancing’, delves into the dual nature of our dependence on oil. Just as opposites attract, our reliance on oil draws us in with promises of convenience, power, and economic prosperity while simultaneously repelling us with the ecological devastation and social inequality it perpetuates. Through my piece of felted headwear, I encourage reflection on this complex relationship and the need for sustainability.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
The idea of creating a moth in wool came about after I was thinking about what the opposite of feltmaking is and what do textile artists really dislike or fear.
Many people are only familiar with the clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) or house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) but don’t realise that there are over 1400 species of moths in Ireland, including the beautiful Garden Tiger (Arctia caja). Only two of these moths will eat your clothes. Many are large and colourful but only come out at night, so they are seldom seen.
Sadly, there is a trend towards the use of plastic grass, non-native plants and paving, which has led to a significant decline in these important pollinators.
Elizabeth Redding
Elizabeth Redding – ‘Day and Night’
I chose the theme of ‘Day and Night’ as opposites, as each attracts their own. The daytime sun attracts butterflies, bees, birds, and flowers. The moon at night attracts many nocturnal animals and birds.
Joanne Foley
Joanne Foley – ‘Pebbles’
In my felt art for this ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition, l explored the profound bond that l had with my beloved dog Pebbles, who sadly passed away a year ago. Upon her passing, l preserved a portion of her fur with the intention of some day crafting a poignant felted portrait which l would felt her fur into.
The theme of this exhibition resonated deeply with me, providing the perfect impetus to embark on this heartfelt creation.
Unlike the docile nature of sheep, Pebbles was a spirited and independent soul, who possessed an unwavering individuality. She was very much her own ‘dog’ and would make up her mind very determinedly about what other canines she liked and didn’t, much to my great embarrassment.
This piece serves as a testament to her beautiful, unique character and is a tribute to my cherished companion, Pebbles, who touched my life in so many ways and whom I miss dearly.
Sandra Chase
Sandra Chase – ‘Best Friends’
These best friends have very different, even opposite personalities. The dog chases, and the cat runs. On arrival home, the dog shows excitement of your return by jumping, dancing in circles, and paying you lots of attention. The cat will show you that she appreciates your presence but in a quieter, less excited way. In the right environment, they put their differences aside and become Best Friends.
Loli Cox
Loli Cox – ‘Yin Yang Ewe’
‘Yin Yang Ewe’ was inspired by the belief that everything in the universe consists of two forces that are opposing but complementary. One cannot exist without the other, but together, the black and white sheep create an idyllic Irish countryside.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
The art exhibition ‘Opposites Attract’ features pieces by 38 Feltmakers Ireland members. Each artist interpreted the theme in her own way. Read on to find out their inspiration.
The Series
The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:
All things in the universe exist as inseparable and contrasting opposites. My piece represents yin-yang as equal opposites that attract and complement each other. Never connecting but always balanced.
Caitríona Nolan
Caitríona Nolan – ‘Red and green should never be seen’
The title of the exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract’, made me think of colours that bounce off each other but also work well together and are eye-catching. Red and green are opposite each other on the colour wheel. The saying that came to mind goes, ‘Red and green should never be seen except upon an Irish Queen’.
Margaret Ryan Collins
Margaret Ryan Collins – ‘Spirals of Life’
‘Spirals of Life’ is influenced by the double spirals found at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange) and on other ancient Irish monuments. These spirals are seen as a representation of balance between two opposing but inextricably linked factors, eg life and death, light and dark, creation and destruction, day and night, as in our theme, ‘Opposites Attract’. So, my interpretation wants to show the link to the theme in a similar fashion, to that demonstrated by our forefathers and foremothers.
The continuous flow and change of the River Boyne as it passes the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.
These spectacular structures have proudly stood in the Boyne Valley landscape for over 5000 years.
Our ancestors utilized the river’s ebb and flow to skilfully transport these megaliths to their sacred sites in County Meath.
The shawl’s design features the megalithic art carved into Newgrange’s entrance stone and the various shades of blue signify the meandering course of the River Boyne as it flows out to sea.
Immersing ourselves in nature reminds us of our ancient and spiritual connection and our deep interdependence to the earth, sky, water, land, rocks, stars, moon, and sun.
Fiona Leech
Fiona Leech – ‘Calm and chaos’
Sometimes in life we get thrown a curve ball that can cause disruption and chaos. When this happens, I try to weave some calmness into my life by hanging out with nature. I tried to show this by using the intensity of reds, oranges and dark, urban colours in contrast with the lightness of greens and yellows found in nature around us.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
This year, Feltmakers Ireland’s annual art exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is curated around the theme of ‘Opposites Attract’. Within the gallery, wall placards explain each piece’s inspiration. For those who cannot make it to the show, here are the inspiration and photographs of some more of our members’ artwork.
The Series
The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:
Heather Byrne – ‘Don’t get your tentacles in a tangle’
Two jellyfish gracefully dance amidst contrasting currents, embodying the timeless adage of ‘Opposites Attract’. Their ethereal forms, pulsating with contrasting vibrant hues, symbolise the harmony found in embracing differences. Through their delicate movements, the felting invites viewers to contemplate the beauty that emerges when opposing forces unite in a mesmerising display of elegance and synchronicity.
Tamzen Lundy
Tamzen Lundy – ‘Where the land meets the sea’
This piece was inspired by Tamzen’s “spiritual” home of Co. Donegal and a recent trip to a windswept cliff top, Horn Head, Dunfanaghy.
People often refer to Donegal as the county where “The land meets the sea”. The vistas are immense, and the sky is vast. However, there are also wonderful tiny landscapes in every rockpool, to be found, examined and explored. This piece is inspired by such a landscape.
By using colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel and fibres from both animal and insect, the artist has interpreted the land and sea and how these opposites attract.”
Bernie Hennessy
Bernie Hennessy – ‘Tabulata’
Coral’s skeletal structure is transparent; it gets its vibrant colour from an algae inhabitant called zooxanthellae, with which it exists in a symbiotic relationship. In my work ‘Tabulata’, I use merino fleece to express the vulnerability of the algae and porcelain to represent the structure of the coral. In doing so, I hope to convey how two opposing elements of nature, the delicate, colourful algae and the strong, transparent coral, neither of which can live independently, can be attracted to each other to form a symbiotic relationship, which results in such a wonder of nature.
Adrienne Dempsey
Adrienne Dempsey -‘Just the Two of Us’
My piece illustrates the concept of opposites attract within relationships and the lyrics of a classic love song, “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers.
The opening lines of the song set the scene for the rest of the lyrics. “I see the crystal raindrops fall, and the beauty of it all is when the sun comes shining through.” These lyrics set up the idea that everything in life has its ups and downs, but the beauty of it all is when the sun shines through.
The meaning behind the song is ultimately about love and the importance of relationships. How differences can create a magnetic attraction between two people.
Joanne Turner
Joanne Turner – “A time to throw stones away and a time to gather stones together” Ecclesiastes 3:5
When I thought about the theme ‘Opposites Attract’, I was drawn to the antithetical parallelism of proverbs in the Bible. My piece illustrates the dynamic energy of opposites: earth & sky; blue & yellow; throwing away & gathering together. Could it be that the key to a happy life is as simple as knowing when to jettison our ‘stones’ and when to hold them close?
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. This series on the exhibition will continue over the coming week. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Feltmakers Ireland 