Contemporary makers bring rural archive film to life.
There is an opportunity this summer to celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich craft landscape as ‘Film Makers Exhibition’ comes to The Braid from 27 July until 19 August 2017.
Through historic footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive, we can watch a blacksmith, a weaver, stonemason, woodworker and basket maker at work - skilled workers who transform natural materials into a crafted product. These forms of production from a time long gone are testimony of tremendous skills, as well as hardship.
As an inspiring starting point for new handmade products, six craft makers from Northern Ireland were invited last summer by R-Space and the DFA to produce new work in response to this heritage footage. Documentary footage of each maker will play alongside the archive films in this exhibition, giving an insight into past and present production methods.
The Makers:
Sharon Adams 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 handwoven textiles that add warmth, comfort and tactility to the modern home and accessories that can be carried or worn.
Ronan Lowry runs Design Onion a young energetic furniture design and manufacture studio. 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.
Peter Surginor is an artist making beautifully devised works in porcelain that reflect his political consciousness. His interventions contribute to dialogue surrounding wider social injustices, memorial and a divided sense of national identity.
'Film Makers' will be displayed this summer at The Braid as part of Britain on Film and August Craft Month 2017.