Cillian O’Sulleabhain | Gail F Mahon | Jackie Mauer | Jaki Coffey | Jennifer Slattery | Karen Donnelllan | Kate Murtagh Sheridan | Kate O’Kelly | Lisa Ryder | Lorna Boyle | Natalie Coleman | Owen Quinlan | Pierce Healy | Printblock | Sam Hamilton | Siofra Caherty | Snug | Superfolk | Suzanne Rogers | Una Burke

The NCAD Gallery is pleased to present, Shape the Future, an exhibition of new work by twenty of Irelands most exciting and creative designer makers who have been awarded Future Makers prizes and development funding in the last seven years. Working across Fashion, Jewellery, Accessories, Textiles, Furniture, Product, Glass, Ceramics and Leather; each of the 20 maker designers are creating new work in response to the exhibition theme.

The exhibition premise asked how craft and design shape our cultural identity and how culture has influenced the work of the participating makers. The exhibition explores links between making today and what it might mean to be a maker in the future; as well as the value of providence in designing and hand making on our island then selling to a global market. The makers have each pushed limits of design ideation, material manipulation and construction techniques to present extraordinary contemporary artefacts.

The exhibition had been organised as part of the marking of the centenary of the 1916 rising under the Cultural Expression strand. Shape the Future is a touring exhibition, first shown at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s ‘Future Makers Awards and Supports’ provide support for the next generation of makers to learn, experience, investigate, develop, create and shape the future of Irish craft and design.

Curated by Angela O’Kelly