Generation

12 March - 18 October 2020

Work by Ryan Connolly Work by Hugo Byrne Work by Cara Murphy Work by Katherine West Ceramic work by Mike Byrne Work by Richard West Work by Deirdre McCrory Work by Michael McCrory Work by Álla Sinkevich Work by Mary Nagle Mourne Textiles

Exhibition

Generation12 March - 18 October 2020

NOTICE: Due to recent Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions announced by Government, the National Design and Craft Gallery is now closed until 28th October.

This exhibition invites us to consider the unique perspective of a group of designer-makers who are custodians of a familial tradition of making and creativity, continuing and/or reinventing the work begun by previous generations of their family. For these designers and makers tradition is not static, but is in constant movement and so the exhibition traces ways in which their cultural legacy is defined, or sometimes re-defined as they navigate contemporary studio practices and workshops whose origins are rooted in previous generations.

It explores how generational relationships and personal histories have encouraged an added sense of responsibility, influenced aesthetic considerations and helped shape overall narratives. Based on the notion that making matters, the exhibition reminds us that no matter what form it takes, the importance of making and respect for tradition remains at the heart of these family enterprises.

In developing Generation exhibition as a virtual experience, we have shared much interesting content on ndcg.ie/learn, including Virtual Visits with curators Frances McDonald and Muireann Charleton, makers interviews and family activities section. NDCG Digital Library brings together videos, podcasts and articles on the Generation makers and their stories. A highlight is the stimulating reflection on the transference of skills in the Generation catalogue essay by American curator, author, and historian Glenn Adamson. Another highlight are new process videos by makers, as part a new initiative Get Ireland Making, led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, supported by Creative Ireland and Healthy Ireland, which aims to share the skills of our talented craftspeople with communities across Ireland. Silversmith Cara Murphy demonstrates basse-taille enamelling technique, learnt from her mother Deirdre McCrory, while Hugo Byrne records the process of crafting a knife. More Generation makers videos will soon be available.

You can listen to a guided tour of the exhibition by the curators HERE

Curated by Frances McDonald and Muireann Charleton.

Click to view pieces and purchase HERE

On Tour

Millennium Court, Portadown October 2020 – December 2020 (dates tbc)

Education & Outreach

Generation // Virtual Visits Thurs 12 March

Following the temporary closure of the National Design & Craft Gallery on 12 March, in line with all cultural institutions, Generation is being made accessible as a virtual exhibition during this unprecedented period. Over the coming weeks, the Gallery is presenting interviews with the eight featured makers and two curators, image slideshows with audio tour, online workshops for children and adults, and essays exploring the influences and theme of the exhibition. All virtual experiences will be shared through the Gallery’s Facebook and Instagram platforms (@NDCGallery) and on Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Facebook and Instagram (@DCCIreland).

Check out our Virtual Visits here

Bealtaine Project: Narrative Tools May 2020 - May 2021

NDCG with textile artist Caroline Schofield invite you to participate in a collaborative public engagement project, 'Narrative Tools'. In conjunction with Bealtaine Festival At Home 2020 and inspired by the Generation exhibition, this will be a year-long, inter-generational project.

Generation Seminar: Familial Legacies Wed 20 May

As part of DCCI's Get Ireland Making programme, National Design & Craft Gallery host a two part seminar on Wednesday 20 May, chaired by curators Frances Mc Donald and Muireann Charleton. It will include thematic panel discussions with ‘Generation’ exhibition makers on topics of Reinventing Tradition and Culture of Making. The aim of this seminar is to explore the narratives of relationships, generational influence and commonalities of family craft enterprises.

Heritage Week Webinar: Tools Of The Trade Thurs 20 August, 2020

Join NDCG with visual artist Caroline Schofield, GENERATION exhibition curator Frances Mc Donald & Helena Mc Ateer of Borris Lacemakers, for an informal panel discussion focusing on heritage crafts. This webinar explores the theme 'Heritage on Your Doorstep'.

Heritage Week Webinar: Design Education Kilkenny 1960’s – 1980’s Fri 21 Aug, 12pm

NDCG will speak to James Mary Kelly of JMK Goldsmiths and Generation exhibiters Mike Byrne & Mary Nagle . Speakers will reflect on their immersive educational experience through participation in Butler House Scholarship programme & at the Kilkenny Design Workshops. This webinar explores the theme 'Heritage of Education'. Register here