Remarks at the official opening of Showcase 2015
Ireland’s Creative Expo in the RDS, Sunday, 18th January 2015
Is mór an phléisiúir é a bheith anseo ar maidin ag 'Showcase' móraonach cruthaitheach na hÉireann, agus is mian liom buíochas a ghabháil le Laura Magahy as ucht cuirid a thabhairt dom bheith libh, agus libh ar fad as ucht na fíorchaoin fáilte sin.
[It is a great pleasure to be here this morning at ‘Showcase’ Ireland’s creative expo, and may I thank Laura Magahy for inviting me to join you, and all of you for that generous welcome.]
2015 is, of course, the year of Irish Design (Irish Design 2015), an initiative exploring, promoting and celebrating Irish design throughout Ireland and internationally. I am greatly pleased to be the Patron of this initiative, which will enable our largest ever demonstration and promotion of all that is best about contemporary Irish crafts in their many different forms.
For these reasons I am delighted to be here today opening ‘Irish Design 2015’s’ inaugural event where we celebrate, not only the beautiful work on display, but the many talented Irish designers and craftspeople who make possible, through their imagination, skill and patient work – their creativity, all of these beautiful and also functional pieces. They enhance our reputation across the globe as a people of creativity.
It is a reputation of which I am frequently reminded during my visits abroad as Uachtarán na h’Éireann; most recently during my State visit to China where I was privileged to attend the Weathering exhibition. There I witnessed exceptional work by Irish craftspeople which demonstrated, as does this Showcase today, how functional objects, when created by talented designers, can powerfully reflect a sense of place and heritage while at the same time inspiring and appealing to a wider global audience who again and again are showing that they value craftsmanship and quality, and appreciate the uniqueness of what our talented makers have to offer.
In Ireland our heritage and culture is, of course, deeply embedded in crafted objects. It is, for example, through the preservation of beautiful artefacts such as the Book of Kells and the Tara Brooch that we understand how much of our craft has developed from ancient skills, cultivated by our ancestors and passed down through the generations. While craft is continually evolving, and it can and does use technological advancement to its benefit, craft retains its ability to remind us of and connect us to our roots. Indeed, the work showcased here represents both the legacy of traditional techniques and the imaginative use of contemporary materials.
Just now, I have had the opportunity to see just a small sample of the work on display, including the screen-printing of Olga Tiernan and work in the media of glass, wool, wood and clay. I am greatly impressed by the creativity employed in the faultless unity of aesthetic and functional form that is evident in this work. It is a union which evokes a notable tradition of Irish artistic and religious history, which sees no division between beauty and utility; between that which was called ‘craft’ and that which is called ‘art’.
It is uplifting to see that our most talented contemporary craftspeople continue to be inspired by such a union, allowing it to contribute to the creativity of the design and craft community. It is also very encouraging to witness how creative works can eloquently reflect a personal artistic vision and the world inhabited by its creator, while also resonating in unexpected ways with those who view that work.
We must, of course, never lose sight of the far reaching and very real economic benefits of promoting the craft industry, and I believe it is anticipated that up to €20 million in sales orders will be made during Showcase. I know that Irish crafts primarily involve micro-businesses that are typically highly labour intensive. These craft businesses form an important part of many rural and local economies and communities. Design is also pervasive, impacting all business sectors from manufacturing to the creative economy and in all regions of the country.
The future of this sector, with its great potential to expand exports, output and employment, lies in the hands of our talented designers and makers who run successful craft enterprises; and also, of course, relies on our emerging craftspeople who are studying or have recently graduated from a third level college or apprenticeship.
The work of innovative and imaginative Irish craftspeople is receiving wide acclaim on both the national and international stage, reminding us that Irish creativity and our country’s reputation as a world class source for quality and craftsmanship is something that we should all celebrate and take pride in.
It is greatly encouraging to know that this year’s Showcase has seen an increase of almost 10% in exhibitor numbers on 2014, with almost 500 of Ireland’s leading designers, manufacturers and craftspeople participating in this important event.
May I extend a particularly warm welcome to everyone here from abroad. I hope that during your time here in Dublin you will receive many opportunities to further collaboration, co-operation and partnership with talented Irish designers.
Mar fhocal scoir is mian liom buíochas agus moladh a ghabháil leo siúd a thóg an dualgas orthu féin an tionscadal seo a thabhairt chun críche. Is eol dom gurb é 'Showcase' an toradh den spiorad comhpháirtíochta atá ann idir go leor gníomhaireachtaí, eagraíochtaí agus daoine aonair a bhfuil lámh acu sa tionscnamh tábhachtach seo. Anois agus an móraonach seo tríocha naoi (39) mbliana ar an bhfód leanann sé air mar mheabhrú inspioráideach ar an gcultúr agus ar an gcruthaitheacht atá mar chroílár ag go leor d'ár ngníomhaíocht gheilleagrach.
[In conclusion may I thank and commend all of those who have played a part in bringing this event to fruition. I know that Showcase is the result of a great spirit of partnership that exists between the many agencies, organisations and individuals involved in this important initiative. Now in its thirty ninth year it continues to be an uplifting reminder of the culture and creativity that remains at the heart of much of our economic activity.]
Finally I would like to wish all those of you showcasing your wonderful work here today every success in the future.
Thank you very much.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.