Exhibition: Artists’ Inspiration – Opposites Attract

Each artist in the ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition interpreted the theme uniquely.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh

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.

Exhibition: Photos from ‘Opposites Attract’

On Saturday, the 4th of May, Feltmakers Ireland opened their group art exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ at the Phonix Park Visitors’ Centre. Friends, family, and other supporters kindly came to cheer us on!

A Few Photos from the Gallery

Above photos by Fiona Leech

Tom Watts from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (the DCCI) inaugurated our opening by speaking about the importance of wool as a sustainable material and how craft and design are interwoven. He added that he was impressed with the qualities, techniques, and ideas of the exhibited pieces.

Tom Watts spoke at the opening.

Interestingly, he wore a pair of vintage Nike Air Footscape Woven Trainers that contained felt!

Members Alongside Their Work

Our trusty photographer was busy chatting with other members, so she only managed to snap some of our members alongside their work.

Videos of the Work

A short video of the opening is on the Guild’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

A longer video of each artist’s work is here on YouTube.

Members’ Inspiration

There is a series of seven blog posts about each artist’s inspiration.

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre Gallery was open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Each day, a member volunteered her time to share the wonder of feltmaking and chat with the visitors. Over a thousand people visited our show!

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.

Exhibition: ‘Opposites Attract’ Opens Today

Feltmakers Ireland’s group exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ opens today at 3 PM. Tom Watts of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI) will inaugurate our exhibition.

Here are the last of the sneak peeks: Sandra Reynolds, Helena Mc Guinness, Sandra Coote, Valerie Nowak-oceallaigh, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, and Juliane Gorman.

Thank you for accompanying us on this Sneak Peek Journey. Learning about our members and their inspirations has been a fascinating part of organising this exhibition! We cannot wait to share more artwork during the show’s run from May 5th to 26th.

Remember: The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the lovely cafe across the way is open.

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.

Exhibition: Hats Off – IFA Online Show

International Feltmakers Association (IFA) members were requested to submit headwear-related felted works for the fifth annual exhibition, ‘Hats Off: Online Exhibition 2024.’

All IFA members, whether beginners or advanced in their felting journey, had the opportunity to apply to this inclusive online show. 47 members entered pieces they created using wet and/or needle felting. Two of Feltmakers Ireland’s members have pieces in this online exhibition: Juliane Gorman submitted her wet felted, Oversized Sunflower Beret, and Joanne Turner submitted her Wizard Hat inspired by Terry Prachett’s Discworld series.

On the IFA’s page, click on each hat to learn more about the artist’s inspiration, materials, and links to her social media and website. The variety of headwear is fascinating!

To see all of the felted hats, visit the IFA’s website – https://www.feltmakers.com/hats-off-online-exhibition-2024/

If you are a member of the IFA, there are four hat-related videos commissioned for this year’s AGM, which you can watch on the association’s private YouTube pages – https://www.feltmakers.com/ifa-agm-2024/

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.

Reminder: Basic and Beyond – Felted Cowl Class – a few Spots Left

Feltmakers Ireland’s annual Basic and Beyond Workshop has returned. We will meet on SUNDAY, the 14th of April.

Guild member Juliane Gorman will show us how to make a beautiful and delicate Nunofelted cowl using the finest silk fabric and Merino fibres.

Time: 10 AM – 3 PM.

Cost: 65 euros for members / 80 euros for non-members.

All materials will be provided, along with tea/coffee and refreshments.
Please bring a packed lunch and a large towel.

Where: Our usual meeting place, the CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, D08 PA07.

If you would like to reserve a place, please email – allmembers.feltmakersireland@gmail.com

No payment will be necessary until our Secretary, Fiona, confirms your place. Then you’ll be asked for bank transfer or cheque.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

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.

Event: Dublin Maker This Saturday

Dublin Maker is a free-to-attend, community-run event, which will be held on Saturday, September 2nd, in Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin. Note: This year, it is in a new venue and will be mostly indoors. So, the weather is less of an issue!

Dublin Maker takes the form of a “show and tell” experience, where inventors/makers sourced through an open call have an opportunity to showcase their creations at individual booths in a carnival atmosphere.

Time: from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Several Feltmakers Ireland members have booths at this indoor event, including Annika BerglundJuliane Gorman, and Constance Seymour (Cons Creations).

If you are a Guild member, please let us know if we missed you.

In addition, other members of the local fibre community will be demonstrating, such as the Irish Guild of the Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, and Ryan Koenig Studio – Arran Knitting.

For more information about Dublin Maker, visit their website – http://www.dublinmaker.ie

Note: This coming weekend, the Red Line Luas has repair work scheduled, with no trams
running from Heuston and Blackhorse. There will be a replacement bus
service
. The Blackhorse stop is a 15-minute walk at a leisurely pace.

https://luas.ie/red-line-works-sep23/

Event: Dublin Maker Returns

Dublin Maker is a free-to-attend, community-run event, which will be held on Saturday, September 2nd, in Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin. Note: it is in a new venue this year.

Dublin Maker takes the form of a “show and tell” experience, where inventors/makers sourced through an open call have an opportunity to showcase their creations at individual booths in a carnival atmosphere.

Time: from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Several Feltmakers Ireland members have booths at this indoor event, including Annika Berglund, Juliane Gorman, and Constance Seymour (Cons Creations).

If you are a Guild member, please let us know if we missed you.

In addition, other members of the local fibre community will be demonstrating, such as the Irish Guild of the Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, and Ryan Koenig Studio – Arran Knitting.

For more information about Dublin Maker, visit their website – http://www.dublinmaker.ie

Event: The Galway Wool Co-op Exhibition

Several members of Feltmakers Ireland have pieces in the Galway Wool Co-op‘s one-day exhibition, ‘A Meeting of Hands’. The show is part of the group’s Meithal.

Poster for ‘A Meeting of Hands’ Exhibition.

Some of the members purchased their washed Galway wool fleece from Donegal Yarns.

Annika Berglund

Annika Berglund’s ‘Connections’.

One member, Annika Berglund, made a felted wall panel which has protruding felt details using natural Galway Sheep Breed wool. This work, ‘Connections’, includes some black Merino for shading. It is a felted piece mounted over a wooden frame for hanging.

To see more of Annika’s work, visit her gallery’s website – https://www.oliviercornetgallery.com/annika-berglund

Juliane Gorman

Juliane Gorman’s ‘Returning to the Blooms’.

Another member, Juliane Gorman, made a felted top hat inspired by finishing James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ with her local library’s book group. In addition to Galway breed wool, her piece includes dark brown, Irish-raised Jacob wool.

To see Juliane’s work, visit her website – https://felthappiness.com

Karena Ryan

Karena Ryan ‘Women of the Land’.

Member Karena Ryan has several pieces on show, including ‘Bhean an Tire’ (Women of the Land). This piece features dried lavender, marigold and silks that have been wet felted into Galway raw wool with free-motion embroidery and Irish linen.

See more of Karena’s work on her website – https://karenaryanartist.com/

Anne Van Dorpe

Piece by Anne Van Dorpe.

Member Anne Van Dorpe works with creating needlefelted animals. See more of her work on her Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/annevandorpe5416/

Apologies if we have missed any other members.

The other participants in the exhibition work in a variety of disciplines and include the following makers: Liadain Aiken, Shannon Byrnes, Malú Colorín, Katie Downes, Michelle Hickey, Ryan Daniel Koenig, Cathlin McKeon, Christine McNamara, Conor O’Brien, Niamh O’Connell, Adela Passas, Elina Plevako, and Olga Profutkina. Apologies if we have overlooked anyone.

Although ‘A Meeting of Hands’ exhibition is by invitation only, you can see a video of all 17 artists’ pieces on the Galway Wool Co-op’s Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu1BxijvikD/

News: Wool- Legacy of St Brigid in Video

Irish Grown Wool in Newbridge Event

On the 11th of March, several members of Feltmakers Ireland went to the Newmarket Town Hall in Co Kildare to participate in Wool – The Legacy of St Brigid. The event was organised by Deirdre Lane of Shamrock Spring, with assistance from the AONTAS Adult Learners Festival.

The Irish Wool Book

Member, Annika Berglund, showed felted samples of Irish-grown wool, which will be featured in the upcoming book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking. The book covers the best Irish wool breeds for feltmaking. Includes sections on sourcing, preparing, and dyeing wool at home using simple ingredients.

Annika with the book’s felted samples and Fiona and Deirdre demonstrating feltmaking

Additionally, Annika was part of the afternoon speakers’ panel at Wool: Legacy of St Brigid.

Further members’ contributions came from Feltmakers Ireland members Fiona Leech and Deirdre Crofts, who demonstrated feltmaking, while Juliane Gorman demonstrated felting hats with Irish-grown wool.

Now on Video!

The Video

During the event in Newbridge, there was a professional crew filming the day’s happenings. A short excellent video of Wool: The Legacy of St Brigid can be seen at the EWE Foundation‘s European Wool Day, which was on the 9th of April. This year it happened in Serbia.

The entire day’s event of EWE can be watched HERE. Note: there are initial technical difficulties with the audio. However, our section from Newbridge, Wool: The Legacy of St Brigid, happens HERE and is EXCELLENT!

Many thanks to all who braved the rain to learn more about wool. Again, huge thanks to Deirdre Lane of Shamrock Spring for organising the event.

Due Soon: Sculpture in Context 2023

Applications are now open for Sculpture in Context. This is an excellent opportunity to get your work seen by a large audience. The deadline for application is soon — the 9th of April.

You can find the online application HERE.

Some members of Feltmakers Ireland have exhibited in previous years. The images below are from Sculpture in Context 2022.

From the top left: Carmen Garcia, Ramona Farrelly

From bottom left: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Fiona Leech, Annika Berglund, Juliane Gorman

(FI likes to keep you updated on upcoming opportunities. If you know of other upcoming events, please send them to us, and we will share them with the members.)