MAY/JUNE 1986
Crafts Council of Ireland Thomas Prior House Merrion Road Dublin 4
Telephone 680764 / 603070
raw materials available. This for us is the business of design and is very much a part of everyday work. No doubt we are exceptional because our ordinary lives and our business cannot be really separated. Our office and workshops are part of our home — there is no geographic or time division. There are disadvantages in this because there is a danger that we work too hard and too long, but we are also lucky because we do not have to be two different people. How we live is how we work and we can find a happy balance because living and working are the same things to us. Maybe there is a learning here about management: that in the end it is only common sense not some mysterious and strange subject.
Carmen and Edmund Chesneau receiving their National Design Management Award commendation from the President of Ireland, Dr Patrick Hillery.
CHESNEAUS HONOURED Speaking before a large gathering at the major award ceremony in Kilkenny Castle after being honoured by the President, Dr Hillery, as one of the three finalists in the Design Management Award 1986, Carmen Chesneau said that to talk of Design Management in their business sounded strange and they very nearly decided not to spend the time drafting an entry for this award. "So we were very surprised to be shortlisted and would be very happy if our success would give encouragement or help to small firms like ours. "Of course 'Design' is all important to us because we make products that sell first on design followed by good quality. This was a matter of choice; we wanted to make products for the high-quality market, which gave us a chance to make an honest product with a classical design using the best
"So the message we would like to give is to fix the objective firmly. Every business must be profitable to survive — so that must be the first objective. The second point in our case is to enjoy what we do. We did not want to make compromises in that and so everything, except being profitable, must bend to that objective. To us 'Good Management' is simply doing what is necessary to keep that objective always in sight. Ireland has given us this opportunity and we are very grateful for all the help we have got in the last six years from the IDA, AnCO, CTT and Kilkenny Design. We can honestly say we would not be where we are to-day without them. "We are very grateful to the jury for shortlisting us, because they are showing that anyone can be successful if he has his objective clearly fixed and knows that everything must bend to that objective."
CPSI EXHIBITION Less large sculptural and, perhaps, self indulgent pieces in this year's show and the better for it. One has come to expect no earth shattering innovation and in a country in which the majority of potters are set to earn a living from their craft rather than managing on some sinecure post, this is probably more good than bad. Good work can always be expected from such professionals as Geoffrey Healy, Jane Forrester, Stoneware Jackson, Paul Martin, Michael Roche, Niall Harper and Peter Wolstenholme and this year again they don't disappoint. Interesting to see the effect of the Burren III workshop on all the potters who participated and what a shift into a new vision it meant for many of them. Even more interesting will be to see how the trend will develop and mature. A raku bowl by Eoin Mel let won the major award for decorative pottery and a porcelain tea set by Jane Forrester was awarded the corresponding functional pottery prize with a runner up, Paul Martin, showing a simple large bowl in a traditional dairy shape — very much a choice for integrity. There seemed too fine a line made between decorative and functional for the jury as many of the works in the 'decorative' category were fine bowls and dishes which could have a totally functional purpose and which could possibly have altered the balance of judgement. It is something which in future years should be given more thought, especially since the Crafts Council has topped up the prize money and the jurying should seek even higher standards. Specially noted were Geoffrey Healy's three platters, Judi Lardner's unglazed bowls, Kieran Behan's Egyptian horse, Niall Harper's winged forms, Michael Roche's even larger plant pots, Kevin Wright's earthenware casserole, Sarah Ryan's natural forms and Geraldine Mangan's coil pots. In general a satisfying show with little enough nonsense pieces and almost none of the dreary glazes once so common — or maybe the reviewer, like a lot of buyers, just doesn't see them anymore!
Facing page, above: prize-winning raku bowl by Eoin Mellet. Below: unglazed bowl with inlay by Judi Lardner. This page, above: Burren wall plaque in porcelain by Lisa Young. Below: prize-winning decorated tea set by Jane Forrester. Crafts Potters Society exhibition. Photos EFS.
Above: Geraldine Mangan's coil pots with oxides, seen at the CPSI exhibition and the NCAD Show. Left: Kieran Behan's Egyptian paste horse at the CPSI exhibition. Right: Aisling Roche's sculptural ceramic at the NCAD end of year Show.
NCAD SHOW The student exhibition at the National College of Art and Design will run from Wednesday 18 June to Friday 27 June (Saturdays and Sundays excluded) from 10am to 6pm daily and a late opening on Thursdays 19 and 26 June until 8pm.
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CANADIAN C R A F T S COUNCIL C O N F E R E N C E ' 8 6 Perceptions, possibilities and practicalities — all these will be challenged in August 86 in Vancouver at the national conference for the professionally minded craftsperson. This three day conference with two additional optional days of events is only the second time this opportunity has been presented within Canada. It is sponsored by the Canadian Crafts Council. Speakers will include Robert Davidson, James Thornsbury, Marjorie Halpin, Marie Andree Morisset, Len Laycock (Ikea), Stephen Hogbin, Carol Sedestrom and Tom Hudson. And there are many more vital people partaking as well such as Jack Lenor Larsen and Dale Chihuly. Other reasons for going to Vancouver? Expo '86, Vancouver's 100th Birthday, the city, the mountains. The conference dates are 14/18/19 August 1986. $585.00 (Canadian) covers the conference fee for the first three days, the Salmon Barbeque and the additional International Days. It also covers lodging from the 14 to and including the night of the 17 — single rooms with common lounge and kitchenette. Inexpensive good meals are available. It is mandatory to lodge on site in accordance with the recommendations made by previous conference delegates. Anyone who wishes to take in just the Salmon Barbeque, and the two International Days will pay $130.00 as a fee plus $30 per night for accommodation. In fact rooms can retained at $30 per night until Thursday, August 21 — more chance to explore the city or Expo '86. Registration package from "Conference '86," PO Box 4412, Vancouver, BC V6B 3Z8 Canada.
Irish Spinners Ltd. Kiitimagh, Co. Mayo Pure new wool bainin and coloured hand knitting yarns.
Telephone (094) 81156
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
ASIAN ASSEMBLY
From 23 September to 1 October 1986 at the Taller D'Art Sant Jordi, Regente Mendieta 41-43, 08028 Barcelona. Tel: 240-3545.
Crafts Council of India is hosting the WCC 10th Asian Assembly in New Delhi this October.
Heat Formations: An Outline Heat Formations represents a new technical and visual possibility involving clay at high temperature, which Hanibal Salvaro has been developing since 1976 after long and extensive research in the field of the breakdown of clay at the point where it becomes liquid or slushy. By means of this technique results similar to volcanic rock have been obtained, which after firing can be treated as stone in order to achieve the final effect. Heat Formations were first presented in Faenza in 1979. Number of places limited to 25. Close of Registration: 25 June 1986. For further information please contact the Taller D'Art Sant Jordi.
C R A F T S EXHIBITION An exhibition, European Crafts Today, will take place in the exhibition area of the Matsuya Store in Tokyo commencing on 5 September, moving to Osaka to the Hanshiu Store in October. The space will be shared with the Japan Craft and Design Association which celebrates its 30th anniversary with an exhibition. Among the 7/800 items on exhibition will be work from seven Irish craftsmen chosen by the Japanese jury from a short list prepared with the World Crafts European section. Jewellers, Rudolf Heltzel and Inga Reed, and woodturner Liam O'Neill, join potters Vivienne Foley, Marie Foley, Stoneware Jackson and embroidress Alison Erridge in the small Irish representation whose works are already on their way to Japan.
To coincide with this they have planned a four-day Workshop on Crafts and Crafts Museums. The Crafts Council of Ireland has an information folder which gives all the details.
DESIGN M A K E S A L L THE DIFFERENCE Many less developed countries ask VSO to send them people with craft experience to help local groups increase their income from traditional products. Small-scale marketing, product development, basic book keeping and the improvement of manual skills are all areas in which valuable inputs can be made. The whole community benefits from the work especially the women and children. So VSO is looking for potters, weavers and designers preferably with basic marketing or business knowledge. Sensitivity, tact and gentleness are needed because, although an expert in craft, one will be a novice in understanding a way of life and a set of values different from, but just as valid as, one's own. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds but all share VSO's concern to combat exploitation whether economic, racial, political or sexual and to enlarge people's independence by helping them to develop their skills. Applicants should be aged between 23 and 65 and without dependants. They will share the life of the community in a less developed country in return for accommodation and a small allowance based on local rates of pay. VSO welcomes applications from minority groups. Further information can be obtained from: Enquiries Unit, VSO, 9 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PW Tel: 01-234 5191.
O'ROURKES Glenasmole Crafts Restaurant Dublin (Mountains) 24 For Reservations: Phone Esme at 513620
LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING There is now available a comprehensive range of miniature low voltage (12v) tungsten halogen lamps, which overcome the heat problems associated with conventional display lamps and use considerably less electricity. The range includes 20, 35, 50 and 75W ratings in narrow, medium and wide beam widths enabling narrow beams for accent lighting through to broader beams for general display purposes. The combination of a compact halogen lamp set into a dichroic coated mirror (diameter is only 50mm for the 50W rating) gives great optical benefits. The reflector produces a precise, uniform beam resulting in intense, efficient light of high colour rendering a good appearance. The dichroic reflector coating allows most of the heat to pass backwards whilst reflecting a cool beam of light forward. Due to their extreme optical efficiency a 50W lamp compares in peak beam intensity with a standard PAR 38 150W lamp. This means saving over 60% of lighting energy costs even after allowing for power consumed by the transformer. With the strong
filament construction the problems of vibration and physical shock, which affect many mains voltage filament lamps are not experienced. A neat, stylish low volt track system, together with a range of specifically designed luminaires is now available from: Harkness Electrical, 150 Harold's Cross, Dublin 6. Tel. 977937.
Below: CTT Seminar on the Market for Gifts and Crafts held recently in Thomas Prior House.
CRE CERAMICS
QUILT EXHIBITION
Anne Murray and Frank Hunter, both from Dublin, one a retailer, one an architect, have opened a new shop in London at 4 Holland Street, Kensington, W.8. It specialises in ceramic crafts and is presently handling such artist craftsmen as Pat Connor, Vivienne Foley, Louis Mulcahy, Sarah Ryan. Kilworth Craft Workshop graduates Maxime Mearns, Brenda O'Brien and Anna Kee are featured as also Brian Keogh, Fidelma Massey and Yvonne Smith.
Some 150 Patchwork Quilts will be on exhibition in the Bank of Ireland Exhibition Halls, Baggot Street, Dublin from 8 to 25 July next. These will be the entries for Country Markets' National Patchwork Competition, brainchild of Mrs. Joan Norman. The response has been outstanding, but with Joan Norman's enthusiasm and chivying who could resist, and quilts by groups from Country Markets, ICA Guilds and Women's Institute Guilds in the North have all been entered. Bearing in mind that these will all be the result of women's group activity and not individuals' works in the exhibition should be of considerable interest to a wide public.
H G C EXHIBITION The Handweavers Guild of Cork will have an exhibition of members' work in the Cork Arts Society Gallery, Lavitts Quay, Cork from 1 to 13 September 1986.
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BankrjfIreland. Trade Services Marketing Section International Banking Division Your Company Name: Address: Tel./Telex No Export Manager: Full Details of Product: Please indicate Agent
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Lover spinning wheel and accessories Natural dye stuffs and wool fleeces Supplied by Mary O'Rourke Glenasmole Dublin 24
Manual Drum Carder Contact Curlew Designs Boyle Co Roscommon Tel: 079-62579
Workshop Space Available. City Centre. Rent Reasonable. Phone: 01-745976
At this instant somewhere overseas there may be an individual who seeks to import the very product you manufacture. What is his name? Where is he from? Is he a reliable trading partner? More importantly how do you contact him? Obviously, travel overseas is one sure way of securing new con tracts. However, many Irish Exporters are now too busy keeping their operation ticking over on the home front to engage themselves in such frequent globe-trotting ventures to locate potential markets. Fortunately, Bank of Ireland International Banking Division have a unique means of further assisting you with your export promo tion. The Trade Services section of this division is operated by highly skilled and efficient professionals who are in a position to locate new markets for those contemplating entering the export field. They can also expand existing markets for those already actively involved in trading overseas. Bank of Ireland International Banking Division has many agents in many countries. Taking their branch networks into account, this gives us vast outlets through which the Trade Services section can seek out untapped markets to promote an Irish product. It is through the medium of these correspondent banks that we endeavour to locate your new prospective trading partners. This service is devised to boost Irish Exports and is provided at absolutely no cost to you. If interested, please complete and return the coupon below. We shall then be in a position to initiate a TRADE ENQUIRY on your behalf.
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When trading internationally it is of paramount importance to assess the creditworthiness of the foreign parties. When we locate a prospective trading partner for one of our clients, we always ensure that an accompanying favourable status report on the foreign concern is provided. Confidential status reports on companies or individuals at home and abroad are provided by us regardless of whether you have availed of our TRADE ENQUIRY service already mentioned. Any request for a status report of this nature must be directed through your bankers. Trade Services also assist by providing advice, guidance and information on many regulations which influence international bus iness. For example, what are the exchange control regulations that effect the speed and ease of payments? What are the import regula tions, customs tariffs, correct shipping documentation etc. required? An exporter knows that a superior product, excellent marketing skills and advanced technology are not the only factors which ensure him of a high success rate in a competitive world. Even iden tification of the right trading partner is not sufficient. A basic know ledge of the economic intricacies and business climate prevailing in each national market to which he intends exporting to is also a vital factor in assuring his overall success. The Trade Services team take pride in being able to help expor ters identify possible new outlets for their products, checking out the creditworthiness of potential foreign clients and supplying gen eral, financial and economic information on the countries where the market is located.
RETIREMENT Jill Breivik, the Council's Administrative Officer has retired from the Council to take up a position as an Executive Director of Fairlink Limited, a new company which has been contracted by the Council to organise and manage the Great Crafts Fair and the National Crafts Trade Fair. She has been with the Council since 1978 and closely involved in the development of the craft fairs since then. At the last Management Committee meeting which she attended recently, she was presented by the Committee with a handmade leather brief case made by craftsmen Carmen and Edmund Chesneau.
RECRUITMENT Margaret McAnallen has been appointed Administrative Officer of the Crafts Council to succeed Jill Breivik and took up her position on 19 May.
RESIGNATION Mr Derry O'Brien, who is on career break from Coras Trachtala to develop his own business, has resigned from the Management Committee and the Minister for Industry and Commerce has appointed Mr Tony Courtney of CTT in his place. Mr Courtney was a CTT representative on the Committee some years ago. Derry O'Brien's new venture is Source Ireland which is a service company sourcing Irish products for the export market for US and other overseas stores and store groups.
Above: Professor Justin Keating opening the Kilworth 4 Exhibition in the CTT New Business Centre in Ireland House, London, in April.
APPOINTMENT The Minister for Industry and Commerce has appointed Mary Dowling of Kilkenny Design Workshops to the Management Committee of the Crafts Council to succeed Nick Marchant who has left KDW to go back into private practice as a designer in England. Mary Dowling's appointment will be a valuable addition to the Management Committee which will find her great experience in retailing an asset.
Below: Lynne Glasscoe, Supervisor of Kilworth Craft Workshops, pictured at the Kilworth 4 Exhibition.