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The art of the matter

ANGELA SAMMON meets the Irish artistes making waves at London Design Week... - 07/10/09

One of the world’s leading design Fairs, 100% Design London, hosted the first exhibition of nine Irish designers producing interiors products for the international market as part of the recent London Design Week.

Opened by Eugene Forde, Commercial Attaché of the Irish Embassy in London, many visitors confirmed that the Irish Pavilion was a highlight of the Show which also boasted pavilions from France, Norway, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Korea, Spain and Bulgaria.

The Irish group, exhibiting under the name ‘Cream of Irish Design’, featured premium, Irish-made furniture, ironwork, lighting, rugs, wall-hangings and glasswork from names such as Duff Tisdall, Glasshammer, Garvan De Bruir, John Lee, Sasha Sykes, Bushy Park Ironworks, Ben Gabriel, Patricia Murphy and Shane Holland.

Mr Holland, founder of Cream of Irish Design, described the event as “a major milestone for Irish design and a very promising beginning to collaboration amongst small, high-end companies wanting to group market their wares internationally.”

The Irish Pavilion was a huge success and inundated with visitors exhibiting a strong interest in the style and quality of product on display.

The complimentary range of world-class Irish products was particularly appreciated by visitors who saw highlights such as the beautiful Carlow Limestone top of Duff Tisdall’s console table, the exquisite craftsmanship of John Lee’s undulating ‘Farraige’ cabinet and the natural plants embedded in the clear cast work of Sasha Sykes.

Admiring the work of John Lee was master furniture maker, John Makepiece, who described the piece as a “showstopper”.

Many Irish architects working in London including Angela Brady who hosts the BBC’s Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud, attended the opening. Other visitors included Mary Fox Linton, Doris Saatchi and buyers for Marc Jacobs in the US.

Cream of Irish Design is a joint promotional vehicle for design-led Irish firms who wish to export and innovate in design. Through the joint sponsorship of 100% Design London, The Crafts Council of Ireland and several Enterprise Boards, Shane Holland hopes that this will become a major fixture on the international design circuit to establish individual opportunities for participant companies and heighten awareness of Irish design creativity abroad.

He says “Irish design these days is all about a naturalistic approach and respect for crafts. As a nation we are more outward looking than ever before so our creativity is no longer hung up on Celtic crosses but embraces a more playful, less rigid approach to design.

"This is reflected in the pieces our very cosmopolitan group brought to London’s 100% Design show for the first time.”

From the youthful furniture of Garvan de Bruir, to the geometric puzzles in Ben Gabriel’s furniture, the saturated tones of Glasshammer to the meticulous detail of Duff –Tisdall, the design companies offered a collection of high quality, truly unique pieces.

Patricia Murphy’s wall art and rugs added splashes of colour and energy while the intricate pieces by Bushy Park Ironworks were inspirational. John Lee’s furniture brough an artisan feeling to the range while bespoke work by Sasha Sykes and innovative Shane Holland designs added a contemporary twist.

Combined, the group of nine elite companies positions Ireland very firmly on the map of international design.