Bricks in the Rain

description

‘Bricks in the Rain, Contemporary Artforms inspired by China’ is an multi-disciplinary exhibition of ceramic art, film and sound.

We are a group of 14 Irish ceramic artists were selected in 2011 by international jury to undertake a 5-week residency at Fule International Ceramic Art Museum, in X'ian, China. We enjoyed an incredible journey, and created a body of artwork, using local materials and facilities.

Our artworks are now displayed at the new Irish Pavilion ensuring a permanent display of Irish ceramic art in China. This was an extraordinary opportunity for us as artists and Irish cultural ambassadors.

We documented their experience in text, photography and film and so now home in Ireland, we want to marry these elements, with new response artworks in the exhibition 'Bricks in the Rain'. (The title of the exhibition' derives from a photograph taken in China of bricks used to step through puddles where it rained incessantly for days at the start of the residency).

This will be a multi-disciplinary and touring exhibition of ceramics, text and film which will launch on 16th August 2012 at the Farmleigh Gallery in Phoenix Park, and then tour to Belfast, Cork and other venues in Ireland.

Amongst our ranks are some of Ireland's foremost ceramic artists; Sara Flynn, Frances Lambe, Michael Moore, Laura O'Hagan, Mandy Parslow, Peter Fulop, Alex Scott, Tina Byrne, Elaine Riordan, Kathleen Standen, Neil Read, Mandy Parslow, Sinead Glynn, and Kathleen Moroney. Our new artworks will respond to and reflect our extraordinary experiences and memories of our residency.

Journalist and writer Eleanor Flegg accompanied us to China, and she is working with sound-maker Declan ÓFaoláin and film-maker Andrew Standen-Raz to perfect archival interviews, film and sound recordings. Hilary Morley, who has worked on Crafts Council and Galway Arts Festival exhibitions will curate the show for us.

As we are operating on a complete shoestring, (i.e. no budget!) these professionals have committed to the project because they, like us, are passionate that this project is a unique opportunity to develop and strengthen Ireland's cultural connection with China, and create an artisticaly significant collection ceramics in Ireland.

Central to the success of presentation, PR and archive is the production of a catalogue but our scant resources are not going to stretch to the costs involved. We are hoping that money for its print, photography and layout can be raised here on Fund It. We would also like to produce a sound archive to play at the venue and add to the creative experience of our visitors. Any surplus funds will be used to print venue photography.

Please support our efforts and give what you can afford. We will be forever in your debt!

Many thanks,

'Bricks in the Rain' ceramic artists.