Artist’s response to the pandemic has joined the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection 

11th May 2023 - Following a competition in late 2020/early 2021, Cork-based silversmith artist Annemarie Reinhold was selected* to create a piece of work in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the piece has now joined the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection, as part of its Contemporary Collection of Design and Craft**.

The National Museum of Ireland (NMI) and the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) provided €15,000 for the commission, it is hoped that this artistic response will help capture the essence of that unique time in our history, for future generations.

A graduate of NCAD, Bishopsland Educational Trust in the UK and the DCCI Jewellery Skills Course, Annemarie Reinhold uses traditional Silversmithing techniques to make sculptural and wearable objects and she takes inspiration from nature. She created a ‘Spoon Garden’ inspired by vegetable gardens as her response to Covid-19, with each silver spoon displayed in a wooden block, with a cut out centre. 
Explaining the inspiration for the piece she said;

“Like lots of people, I was living in a small space in a city during the lockdown. This got me thinking a lot about nature and the privilege it is, especially during Covid, having your own outdoor space and the ability to enjoy nature that way. 
Amidst all the change, nature and the seasons provided important constant for us all. Planting and gardening had given many people great comfort during difficult days.
I chose spoons because of the direct connection with food and also I find great pleasure in creating these forms. Therefore, I wanted to create a silver vegetable garden for the public “to feed” their desire for a connection to the outside world. Giving everyone the experience of a beautiful and precious private vegetable garden. 
To me, a garden not only provides the prospect of eating what you have planted and nurtured, but also having your own garden enables you to be busy, create and grow. Providing a point of focus to take one’s mind off the pandemic. This is what I hope to capture in the ‘Spoon Garden’.
I’m so honoured to have been awarded such an important commission and to be supported in actualising my work, for the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection,”

Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, said;

“We are delighted to be working with the DCCI on this special commission. The concept that Annemarie has developed tells an important story about Ireland during Covid-19, and how so many of us sought out nature for our physical and spiritual nourishment. Our Irish Silver Exhibition in Collins Barracks traces the development of the craft from the early 17th century to the present day, and this work will be an important addition to our Contemporary Collection of Design and Craft helping to tell the story of our collective experience in Ireland of the global pandemic. .” 

Suzy O’Keefe, Head of Digital & Communications, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said;

“Silversmithing has a long history in Ireland and it has been enjoying a revival in recent years with artists like Annemarie creating beautiful items for both everyday use and for more ornamental purposes. Annemarie’s work, ‘Spoon Garden’, is stunning and we are delighted to see it taking pride of place in Ireland’s largest cultural institution for future generations to contemplate and enjoy.” 

– ENDS –
Notes to the Editor:
About Annemarie Reinhold 
Originally from Germany but living in Ireland for 12 years, Annemarie Reinhold is based in the Benchspace Creative Hub in Cork City.  In 2016 and 2019 she was a recipient of a Future Makers Award. In 2017, she was honoured to be selected for an RDS Craft Award as an emerging maker in the silversmithing and metalwork category. In 2020 she was chosen for a Golden Fleece Award. 
www.Annemariereinhold.com
*The judging panel for this commission comprised representatives from the National Museum of Ireland and Jean Blanchaert, the Director of Galleria Blanchaert in Milan, who created the ‘Best in Europe’ pavilion at Homo Faber 2018 in Venice.
*The Contemporary Collection of Design and Craft (CCDC) was established in 2004 to collect contemporary high-quality works from Ireland’s leading designer-makers by the National Museum of Ireland in order to preserve the antiques of tomorrow for future generations. The collection, jointly funded by the National Museum of Ireland and Design & Crafts Council Ireland, complements, and enhances the NMI’s existing collection of Ireland’s portable heritage.

About the National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the nation’s premier cultural institution and home to the greatest collections of Irish heritage, culture and history. Admission is free.
The National Museum of Ireland has 4 public sites, and a Collections Repository: 

• National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology (Kildare Street, Dublin)
• National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (Merrion Street, Dublin)
• National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History (Collins Barracks, Dublin)
• • National Museum of Ireland – Country Life (Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo)
  • Collections Resource Centre (Swords) (Not open to the public)
  Website: www.museum.ie
  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumofIreland
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/NMIreland
  Instagram:  @nationalmuseumofireland
• About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
• Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is the national agency for the commercial development of Irish designers and makers, stimulating innovation, championing design thinking and informing Government policy. DCCI's activities are funded by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 59 member organisations and over 3,000 registered clients. Www.dcci.ie 
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• Contact:
  Maureen Gaule – Marketing Manager- Marketing Department- National Museum of Ireland
  mgaule@museum.ie 
  087 9031690
  01 6486429