Largest show of de buitlar glass sculpture in navan
Róisín de Buitléar presents her largest collection of works to date at Solstice Arts Centre, opening on Thursday 5th February, running until 17th April.
Róisín de Buitléar has been working in the medium of glass as a primary material since 1983. Recognised as a pioneer in the field of contemporary glass in Ireland, this exhibition provides a cross section of her recent practice including her body of work Ortha, a series of glass sound objects made to create an Irish incantation and a harmony of voice. Irish cultural heritage is a predominate feature of de Buitléars’ work, where ideas of traditional legacy, ornament and narrative are explored through innate qualities of her material.
This exhibition is made-up of 40 individual glass sculptures and is the largest exhibition of works presented to date. The work is diverse, showcasing a stark contrast between monotone pieces against very colourful work. Two strands are clearly identifiable in this collection, some of which derive from her body of work Ortha (which is the Irish for prayer/incantation or a spell) and a second strand that based on lace. Róisín works with layers both physically through engravings and metaphysically, as there are layers of meaning attached to her work.
“…I evolve work that is contemplative, meditative and which reinforces the simple delight of gracious line…” - Róisín de Buitléar.
Music Concert: Liam Ó Maonlaí & Peter O'Toole (The Hothouse Flowers) – Responses to work created by Róisín de Buitléar. ​The opening of this exhibition is accompanied by a performance by Liam Ó’Maonlaí and Peter O’Toole (The Hothouse Flowers). With an introduction and narrative by artist Róisín de Buitléar, Liam and Peter manipulate de Buitléar’s glass as sound objects in a special one-off concert. The partnership with Liam Ó Maonlaí began when Róisín worked on a body of work entitled CAUTION!Fragile - a major collaborative exhibition with three Irish glass masters from Waterford. The sound objects Róisín works on evolves continuously, however, and this is the first time that Peter O'Toole enters the fold to play Róisín’s glass sculpture like an instrument. New pieces that have never been played before will be manipulated to create music from glass.
Concert follows the exhibition opening, Thur 5 Feb, 8.00pm (On-stage seating) | Tickets: €12 | Duration: 90mins
Róisín de Buitéar
​Róisín de Buitléar is multifaceted being not only a Glass Specialist, but also an educator, a curator and a writer. Being an advocate and internation ambassador for the development, promotion and education of contemporary glass in Ireland, de Buitléar is very much respected as one of Ireland's most knowledgeable and qualified experts in the sector.
Róisín is an independant practicing artist based at the Mart Studios Dublin, a contemporary collective art space. An alumnae of NCAD Dublin, Róisín has been working with glass for 32 years. Her objects are in national and international public collections, including the Nation Museum of Ireland, The Office of Public Works Ireland, The National Museums of Northern Ireland, The American Crafts Council and The Museum of Glass WA, USA.
Her site-specific commissioned cast, blown and architectural galsswork can be viewed in public buildings throughout Ireland, including the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford Maternity Hospital, Ionad na Blascaoidí, Co Kerry and Ballyroan Library, Dublin. In 2011, An Post featured her work 'Catch the Breath' on a national stamp in recognition of her achievements to commemorate 'The National Year of Craft'.
As a professor of Glass Art and Design at NCAD for over two decades, Róisín has both taught and influenced many of the practicing artists in glass in Ireland. Her teaching and mentoring skills have brought her international recognition and she continues to teach internationally. She is currently an invited course leader at the world-renowned Pilchuck glass school - recognised as a world leader in glass education.
Having been awarded a bursary from the Crafts Council of Ireland for excellence in her field, and a residency at the Museum of Glass Tacoma, Róisín de Buitléar began work on CAUTION! Fragile, a major collaborative exhibition with three Irish glass masters from Waterford, expanding on her experience of participatory and collaborative practice. Currently showing at The Museum of Glass Tacoma USA this seminal show highlights the skills and artistic abilities of industrially trained Irish glass-masters. It articulates in visual and auditory terms the heritage, culture and fragility of the future of Irish glassmaking.
Other curatorial projects include: ‘Design in Crystal’ 1994 Solomon Gallery, work by young designers in tandem with Waterford Crystal, ‘Inspirational Awakenings’, Waterford - A celebration of glass in the millennium - conference and exhibition, ‘From Pupil to Master’ at Solomon Fine Art 2013, an overview of contemporary glass from the NCAD.
The recent ‘Ulysses Cylinders’ at Dublin Castle by Dale Chihuly and Seaver Leslie was project managed by Róisín de Buitléar in collaboration with Chihuly Studios and the OPW. This included renovation of the Coach House and installation of the exhibition to international gallery standard specifications.
Frequently invited as an international speaker on contemporary glass her recent lectures have included; Museum of Glass Tacoma Washington, Artists lecture, Innocrafts conference Finland -Best practice case study on behalf of CIAV Meisenthal France, Contemporary Craft: curating, collecting, writing, National Museum of Ireland, European Glass Biennale Denmark on behalf of GIT, Glass Art Society Conference Pittsburg USA -Contemporary Irish Glass and Museum of Glass Tacoma on CAUTION! Fragile exhibition.
Her recent published written works on Glass include; ‘A Golden Odyssey ‘the opening chapter of Ulysses Cylinders by Dale Chihuly Seaver Leslie 2014, ‘A New Age of Glass’, Mondo Darc Design Magazine 2013 GB. ‘Context and Culture’ TL Design Magazine 2013 Belgium.
She has recently been commissioned to work on the Basilica of Knock Co Mayo as part of the refurbishment of the Basilica for 2015.