Artists selected for the 2009 BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass are:

Artist Statement
Primarily working with the medium of sculpture and installation, my practice is influenced by constructed spaces, light and architecture. I am particularly interested in the point where imagined spaces come into existence, creating endless possibilities within that moment. Architects propose idealized spaces, some of which will never take physical form but remain a suggested alternative, constantly questioning that which exists in its place. I am interested in the potential of these transient spaces, where utopian structures can exist outside the politics of reality. My work proposes imagined and idealized spaces and structures, which exist as a stand-alone piece or as an alternative structure within an existing space. Each piece plays with light, texture, and the optical effects of glass to create an illusion of space within the work. Simple minimalist forms create a phenomenological experience for the viewer and offer an alternative to the distractions of modern life, creating a moment to contemplate possibility.

Biography
After graduating from the National College of Art and Design where I discovered my passion for glass I complete an MA in Visual Arts Practice in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology. In 2007 my work was selected for Open ev+a 2007, “A Sense of Place”, curated by Klaus Ottmann, during which I was awarded the “Ev+a '07 Belltable One Person Exhibition Award”. This led to my first solo exhibition and I have since exhibited throughout Ireland, Europe, and China. My work has been purchased by respected art collectors, including the National Museum of Ireland, and in 2004 I was awarded the prestigious Golden Fleece Award. In 2008 I was one of two emerging artists invited to represent Ireland by the National Museum of Ireland in “European Glass Context 2008” in Bornholm, Denmark. Throughout 2009 and 2010 my work will be exhibited as part of a group show called “On The Edge” which will Travel throughout England & Ireland commencing at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum in late January 2009. Earlier this year I was nominated by the National Museum of Ireland and was subsequently selected for the Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Lecture Award.

Resume
Education
2008        Dun Laoghaire institute of Art, Design & Technology
1999-2003    National College of Art and Design, Dublin 8
    BDes in Craft design (Honours)
    MA in Visual Arts Practice

Professional Experience            
2004-2006        Worked as an artist’s assistant to Michelle O’Donnell
2005    Worked as a visiting lecturer for N.C.A.D
2003        Worked as an artists assistant to Karen La Mont
2003        Worked as an artists assistant to Deirdre Rodgers

Exhibitions
2009 - 2010    On The Edge, Travelling exhibition England & Ireland
2003 – present        What's in Store, National Museum of Ireland.
2009    possibilities of space, Group show, Pallas Contemporary Projects, Dublin
2008    127th RUA Annual Exhibition, The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, Belfast
    European Glass Context, Bornholm, Denmark
    Internal Space Hosted by IADT at Studio
    6, Temple Bar Gallery & Studio, Dublin
    G126 Members Show, Catalyst, Belfast and G126 Gallery, Galway
2007    Structure, Alley Arts Centre, Strabane
    Annex, Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick
    Side by Side, The Hunt Museum, Limerick
    Sculpture in Context, Dublin
    A Sense of Place, Open ev+a 2007, Curator: Klaus Ottmann
    Cead in China, 411 Galleries China
2003-2004        RDS National Craft Travelling Exhibition
2003        RDS National Craft Exhibition at the Dublin, Horse Show

Collections
The National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, The National Collection
Bank of Ireland
Mary Boydell private collection

Awards and Honors
2009    Selected for the Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Lecture
2004    Winner of the Golden Fleece Award    
    Ev+a '07 Belltable One Person Exhibition Award

Publications
“European Glass Context” Catalogue 2008
Irish Arts Review- Autumn 2008 Volume 25 Number 3, Art of Glass
Irish Independent- Sunday April 06 2008, For good deals, buy from the artists
Cead in China Catalogue 2007
Open ev+a 2007, “A Sense of Place” Curator: Klaus Ottmann Catalogue 2007
Irish Independent - Mary Coll, Friday 6th April, review of Open ev+a 2007 exhibition
The Irish Times - Aidan Dunne, Art Critic, Thursday 5th April, review of Open ev+a 2007 exhibition
The Irish Times - Aidan Dunne, Art Critic, Tuesday 15th March 2005
Circa -Eimear McKeith, Wednesday March 10, 2004, Art fleeced and netted
Irish Arts Review- Summer 2004, Vol 21, No 2
Galway City Tribune, Friday 19th March 2004
Gloine, May 2004

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