Kilkenny craftsman on display as Tánaiste opens special exhibition at Kilkenny's National Design and Craft Gallery

An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin was in Kilkenny on Friday where he officially opened a new exhibition at the the National Design and Craft Gallery, Castle Yard.

The exhibition, ‘Turning Turns 40’, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Irish Woodturners Guild (IWG. Now open to visitors, ‘Turning Turns 40’ is a curated exhibition featuring 40 exceptionally turned wood forms that demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and design.

The exhibition has travelled from The Hunt Museum in Limerick to DCCI’s National Design and Craft Gallery in Kilkenny until Wednesday, July 27. It will then exhibit in other venues including Leitrim Design House in Leitrim, The RDS in Ballsbridge in Dublin 4, and Craft NI Gallery in Belfast, later in the year.

John Flynn, from Graignamagh, Kilkenny, was one of the many talented exhibitors at the opening

The idea for the exhibition, ‘Turning Turns 40’, is attributed to the President of the Irish Woodturners Guild, Emmet Kane, who proposed the challenge of creating a wood turned form to the scale of 15cm3. It was from this initial idea that the challenge was passed to all IWG members, who were required to work from a uniform sized block of ash, which presents a set of its own technical and design challenges. Over 360 cubes of ash were distributed, from which, 40 final pieces were selected by an independent judging panel comprising woodturners Stephen O’Connell (Ireland), Barbara Dill (USA) and Ulf Jasson (Sweden).

The curated exhibition demonstrates the individual creativity and woodturning expertise of members, as well as highlighting the critical issue that affects Ireland’s native ash tree — ash dieback disease. This disease was first detected in Ireland in 2012.

Over the next 20 years, Ireland’s native ash tree may well become extinct due to this disease. In celebrating the IWG anniversary, this exhibition also commemorates the offering and history that the mighty ash has provided to the Irish landscape through this lasting collection of native ash crafted works of art.

Tanaiste Martin said he was honoured to officially open the Irish Woodturners Guild, ‘Turning Turns 40’ exhibition and witness the exceptional craftsmanship on display.

“The skill and dedication of these woodturners are evident in each piece, reflecting a deep respect for our natural heritage and a commitment to the art of woodturning,” he said.

“The exhibition is a testament to the creativity and resilience of the Irish craft community and I encourage the general public to come and visit the National Design and Craft Gallery.”

Peter Hynes, Chair of DCCI, said the exhibition was a celebration of the art of woodturning, and the preservation of the craft of woodturning by the guild, and a tribute to the legacy of our Irish ash tree.

Sarah Ross, curator, said: “The opportunity to curate the IWG 40th anniversary exhibition, 'Turning Turns 40,' has been a most enjoyable experience. It is an honour to share the woodturners' passion for their craft and the beauty of the natural materials they use to create the exquisitely turned forms that are on display. Bringing together these finely crafted sculptural and functional forms, we are reminded of the vulnerability of our natural world. The sense of community that the Guild embodies demonstrates the power of like-minded people to highlight the devastating effect of ash dieback disease. Furthermore, it is this community that fosters the sharing of skills and knowledge, ensuring the art of woodturning does not die. I wish the Irish Woodturners' Guild every success, carrying on the traditions and future innovations in the art of woodturning. The support of the Design & Crafts Council has been instrumental in facilitating this exhibition and celebration.”

Emmet Kane, President of the IWG commented: "We are immensely proud to celebrate 40 years of the Irish Woodturners Guild with the Turning Turns 40 exhibition. This milestone not only honours the vision and dedication of our founders back in 1983 but also showcases the incredible talent and creativity of our current members. This exhibition is a tribute to the craft of woodturning and the enduring legacy of those who paved the way. The pieces on display, created from native ash, highlight both the beauty of this versatile material and the critical issue of ash dieback disease. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this project, especially the TT40 committee, our judges, and the many members who took on the challenge with such creativity and skill. As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering the art of woodturning and supporting our members in their pursuit of excellence. Thank you for joining us in celebrating this significant anniversary and the remarkable work of the Irish Woodturners Guild."