This craft exhibition, curated by Mary Gallagher, will feature ceramics by Alison Kay, Frances Lambe and Antonio Lopez; work in wood by Roger Bennett, David Cousley, Hugh Cummins and Eric Philips, glass by Scott Benefield and tapestries by Muriel Beckett and Anne Harte.

In the Blue Egg Gallery, which I ran for 11 years, each October brought Bravura, a group show of work by Irish and international makers, to coincide with the Opera Festival. The exhibition title was very apt in its reference to the skill and style of the participating makers and in its connection to music. Bravura, like all the exhibitions in the Blue Egg, was not about representing lofty themes; instead it was about showing beautiful work by skilled makers.

Nothing has changed. In this venue which is new to me, the Billy Colfer Gallery in Wexford Arts Centre, Bravura 2024 presents the work of ten Irish based makers using everyday materials like clay, wool and wood. But look at what they, and their fellow makers, do with those materials through their skill, vision and dedication – they make magic. 

I can only show a small selection of work here in this space but be assured that there are many more makers in Ireland whose work will bring you joy. I am sorry that you will have to seek them out, as visibility, or rather lack of it, is still an issue with craft in Ireland. Craft is the subject of very little media attention and craft exhibitions are rarely reviewed. It is just not part of Irish visual arts culture. This exhibition is a small contribution to bringing craft out of the shadows and into the light and I am grateful to Catherine Bowe and Wexford Arts Centre for giving me access to this fine gallery. I hope you enjoy this small taste of what Irish craft has to offer and that it will encourage you to look further to find more delights.‘

Mary Gallagher, Curator
Autumn 2024