The National Museum of Ireland has long been involved in collecting and showcasing contemporary craft. InForm has taken this essential work to a new level.
 
InForm is a two-year long collaborative project between the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History and the Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI). It culminates in a vibrant exhibition, which show-cases contemporary Irish ceramics and jewellery by twenty-two emerging makers, next to the Museum objects that inspired them.
 
The InForm project is a testament to the visionary thinking and excellent training delivered by the tutors of the DCCI Skills & Design Courses, including ceramicist and educator Gus Mabelson and jewellery designer maker Eimear Conyard.
 
In the final year of their respective course, students of the DCCI Ceramics and Jewellery & Goldsmithing Courses explored the NMI collections in a series of tours and workshops. This included direct supervised access to some of the objects of their choice, which are normally in visible storage.

The examination of Museum objects from around the world has informed elements of the makers’ own pieces. It sparked experimentation with ancient and contemporary metalwork, glazing and firing techniques.

 
InForm displays 42 ceramic objects and 52 pieces of jewellery alongside 23 objects from the National Museum of Ireland’s collections. Museum objects on display include Indian, Japanese, Chinese and Persian decorative arts objects (mostly metal and lacquer work), a model screen made by renowned Irish architect and designer Eileen Gray, an ancient Roman glass vessel, as well as Irish Folklife objects and scientific instruments, among them a 19th century pocket globe.

The exhibition also displays sketches, craft tools and videos of the designer-makers, outlining the creative process of making ceramics and jewellery.
 
At its heart, this exhibition explores making as an expression of culture and tradition. It highlights the incredible breadth of the National Museum of Ireland’s collections and the affinities and connections between makers across the millennia and across continents.

This exhibition opens on the 25th May, 2021
 

Take a look back at the 3 part 'In Conversation' live Zoom events in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland as part of the exhibition, InForm.