Filament are delighted to confirm that we will be showing our new work “withdrawing” at Grennan Mill in August as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival. The exhibition will be dedicated to Mary Heffernen and will feature new work by Jean McKenna, Hilary Bell, Sonya Kinch, Caroline Schofield, Kirsten Hodgens, Tara Ní Nualláin and Sheila Jordan. Further details to follow soon.
Filament Fibre Artists are producing new work apace in preparation for our upcoming exhibition. We have recently had some productive meetings for the review of work in development and for exhibition planning.
Gaining feedback is a great motivation for the development of work in progress, often allowing us to see our work from new perspectives and creating new direction for individuals and for the group. Sharing ideas and work in progress is a great way to develop individual pieces with a coherent element in preparation for a group show.
Filament Fibre Artists are delighted to announce that Textile and Fibre Artist Kirsten Hodgens will be joining the group for the development of new work and for our upcoming exhibition. We would like to welcome her and are looking forward to drawing on her energy in the creation of new work.
Sonya Kinch is currently exhibiting work in “Dublin and it’s Docklands” at the Ferry Terminal in Dun Laoghaire in County Dublin. The show is curated by Siobhan Bastable of “The Gallery Dalkey”.
Below is a selection of images from the “Barnicle Chronicles” series featuring wall mounted forms in stained porceline and Below Tide, glazed stoneware.
Jean McKenna current work in progress
Filament have recently taken time from group exhibiting and have been focusing on re-imagining our group it’s work and focus. We are now delighted to announce the commencement of a new phase for Filament through the development of a new body of work.
Two of our original members Sarah Dawson and Lucinda Jacob have taken a step back from Filament to pursue other projects. We would like to thank them for their dedication to the group over the past 10 years and for their valuable input into the dynamic and supportive environment within Filament. We wish our friends the very best into the future.
In the interests of change have invited ceramicist Sonya Kinch to join us for the development of our new project. We would like to welcome Sonya whose motivation and creativity is already making a mark and influencing the group in new ways.
We will be updating our blog regularly as we develop and document new work.
Mary Heffernan taking part in Filament drawing day in Kilkenny
The members of Filament Fibre Artists would like to convey our deepest sadness on the loss of our dear friend and group member Mary Heffernen who passed away recently. Mary was one of the founding members of Filament Fibre Artists. We have worked together for over ten years and her loss has been keenly felt within the group.
Mary always had a sharp eye for detail and her exacting approach to stitch kept us all on our toes! We miss her terribly and will remember and commemorate her in the continued coming together of the group and in our attempts to produce work that will live up to her expectations.
Filament Fibre Artists wish to express our sincere sympathy to Mary’s immediate and extended family and her many friends as they deal with her loss now and into the future.
Late Fragment
And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.
Raymond Carver
Mary (fifth from the left) with her friends and fellow Filament Fibre Artists at an exhibition in the RDS
Filament Fibre Artists’ exciting new work inspired by a disused flour mill in Co. Kilkenny dating from the 12th century, has something for anyone who is interested in old buildings, local and social history, the beauty of flowing water or the engineering of the massive machinery it powered. Time and nature have impacted on the imposing structure and each of the six artists represented here has responded to the building through the prism of her particular artistic practice.
Hilary Bell’s printed, felted and stitched pieces convey the beauty of the engineering and function of the mill.
Sarah Dawson has been inspired by river, from the still calm gurgling waters to the raging torrents as it squeezes through the sluice gate.
Lucinda Jacob has focussed on the mass and solidity of this once mighty industrial building through stitch and form.
Sheila Jordan’s work explores what is left behind when the workers have gone, tools scattered and rusting, and the mill is silent.
Jean McKenna has been drawn to the bridge over the mill-race which is decaying, leading to magical, crunchy surfaces and lace-like edges in her work.
Tara Ní Nualláin’s stitched pieces are inspired by the patching and piecing of the wooden floor in the upstairs rooms, and the words ‘preserve’, ‘maintain’ and ‘keep’.
The exhibition runs during Kilkenny Arts Festival from 10am on Friday 8th August to 6pm on Sunday 17th August at the Grennan Mill Craft School in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. Official opening on Saturday 9th August at 5.30pm. The Filament exhibition is on the ground floor of the mill with five other artists exhibiting through out this beautiful old building, so its well worth a visit . Cathy Dineen – Illustration, Gerard Casey – Painting, Klaus Hartmann – Pottery, Larry Kinsella – Candlemaking, and Suzanna Crampton – Photography.
