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IRISH WOOD EXHIBITION - AUGUST 2010 DESIGNYARD is proud to present an exhibition of wood sculptures from Irish artists Liam Flynn, David Comerford, Tony Downey, Mark Hanvey, Roger Bennett, Brian O'Loughlin and Ian Hawthorne. This feature will run for all of August 2010 on our lower ground floor. Why not call in to view these exquisite pieces?
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LIAM FLYNN "My work to date has been primarily based around the vessel form. This I am continually striving to refine, making miniscule adjustments to a curve or a line that to me can have significant impact on a piece. I relish the challenge of interpreting what the timber will do, how much movement is going to occur as the vessel dries out and what influence that will have on the final line of the piece." |
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DAVID COMERFORD David Comerford's distinctive style owes much to an interest in history, archaeology and the artwork of ancient civilizations. Since the late 80s David has been working as a full time wood turner; sourcing trees, using only culled dead or wind fallen trees, drying the timber and turning and finishing each piece himself. He works in native Irish timbers and decoration plays a large part in his work. He achieves wonderful patterns with techniques such as burning, staining, texturing, chain sawing and adding materials such as copper and leather.
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MARK HANVEY
Mark Hanvey was born in Newtownards, Co. Derry. His desire is to make work that is strong yet simple in form. The love of the material is evident in the way that he creates and finishes all of his work, "I feel that since it takes such a long time for this material to mature that I should do my best to respect it." Mostly he uses native Irish timber but also some exotic woods. The turned work that is most satisfying for him is that which lets the wood itself have the final say in the form. |
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TONY DOWNEY Tony Downey, originally from Ballycastle Co. Antrim, worked as a wood and metalwork teacher at St. Mary's College London. Having spent a number of years teaching he decided to retire to devote himself full time to his sculpture. Tony is passionate about what he terms the majestic qualities and almost ebony like finish of bog oak. Inspiration for his work comes from the birds and animals that surround him at his Irish countryside home. The oaks have been carbon dated to a period around 4,000 years ago. |
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ROGER BENNETT Roger Bennett specializes in fine sycamore bowls and vessels in glowing colours. Sycamore is an ideal wood for this purpose because its pale, sometimes rather bland surface, responds well to colour. Roger uses water-based wood stains which allow the grain patterns and markings of the wood to show through. He then uses tiny pieces of inlaid silver wire in geometric or random patterns as a decorative feature. He finishes his bowls with Danish oil, creating a sensuous sheen. |
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IAN HAWTHORNE Ian Hawthorne is a self taught cabinet maker based in Northern Ireland. Being creative and experimenting with new ideas is what Ian enjoys doing most, whether it is designing and creating a box with an art deco influence, or incorporating new material such as corian into a box handle. |
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BRIAN O'LOUGHLIN Brian O'Loughlin was born in Kildare or Cill Dara, church of the oak. 'The bog of Allen is a mass of contradictions: romantic yet fierce, tranquil yet wild, sensuous yet bleak. For centuries it has been a source of wonder, inspiration, community, commerce and myth." |
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View images from our previous exhibitions June 2010 - Michele Hannan & Ayelet Lalor Ceramics Exhibition |
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