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THE Craft Makers Centre at 37 Ashe Street is just one year old, but has become a cultural hub for craft and art enthusiasts and this Thursday 1st December sees the launch of Willow and Wood, an exhibition of new work by sculptor John Murphy and artist Hanna Van Aelst.
The show will open at 7pm with an opening address from Deputy John Brassil, T.D.
Both artists have been working hard for many months on the show and are well known in Tralee for their work and for their skills in teaching the next generation of makers who come to their workshops at Craft Makers.
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Hanna Van Aelst was drawn to weaving and willow in particular because of its endless potential. For the first ten years of her professional life she made baskets and refined her techniques in a traditional aesthetic.
But when she hit a wall and could no longer sustain the work load, she pushed in a different direction and slowly learned to let the material speak for itself. Hand weaving with willow to Hanna is like telling a story.
It is staying in the present moment listening to the material and allowing it to find its own form. The result is a series of contemporary sculptural pieces that tell their own story and will resonate with the viewer.
Also exhibiting is sculptor John Murphy who creates pieces based on studies of the human figure and animal work, especially birdlife.
John carves in a wide range of native timbers. He has designed and carved a great many presentation pieces and trophies. He has also carved decorative furniture panels based on traditional, classical and Celtic motifs.
In 1975, having completed a three-year Fine Art course at Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design, specialising in woodcarving and sculpture, John set up his workshop in Dun Laoghaire as a professional woodcarver/sculptor.
Now living in Kerry, he works from his workshop at his home in Tralee. He has completed commissioned work for individuals, groups, churches and local authorities.
John has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows throughout Ireland and England. Hanna and John will talk about their work on Saturday, December 3 at 3pm at Craft Makers and all ages are welcome to attend.
The exhibition will run at Craft Makers until Saturday January 21. Tel: 066 7120632. See www.craftmakers.ie
