Claire McAlister
Claire McAlister graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin in 2008. She has developed a very distinctive design language in silver and dramatically-coloured wood veneers.
Working with the shapes that the veneers inform, McAlister makes geometric units which are assembled in repeat patterns into contemporary jewellery pieces. The combination of these geometric elements and dramatic colours are what make McAlister’s work so original and inspiring.
“My starting point came from a response to these specific materials. The inherent qualities of wood veneer produce inspiring and dynamic forms when manipulated form their flat state.”
Claire produces both commercial and gallery-orientated works. Her unique and inspired collections have featured in exhibitions across Ireland, the UK and America.
Materials Used:
Professional Experience
2011 ‘Reconnect’, RHA, Dublin
2011 Glucksman Craft Fair, Cork
2011 Waterford Craft Showcase at Waterford Cathedral,
2011 Future Makers, Wandesford Gallery, Cork
2011 Yorkshire Sculpture Park
2011 ‘Seoid 11’ touring exhibition, Australia (curator)
2011 Spiegelgasse acht – Design & Art Objects, Austria
2011 ‘Ornament’, Rua Red, Dublin
2011 ‘Adornment’, Designworks, Cork, Ireland
2011 Millennium Court, Portadown
2011 ‘Possibilities’, Garter Lane, Waterford (curator)
2010 ‘Effervescence’, West Dean Gallery, UK
2010 Palterman and Thomas The Gallery, Swansea, UK
2010 Glucksman Craft Fair, UCC, Cork
2010 Origin: The London Craft Fair
2010 Custom House Studios, Westport, Ireland
2010 Eunique, Karlsruhe, Germany
2010 Craft Selection, Skyline Gallery, Kenmare, Ireland
2010 Jewellery Exhibition, Cat and the Moon, Ireland
2010 ‘Diverse Talents’, Wicklow, Ireland
2010 Craft Council Selection at Showcase, Ireland
2010 Glucksman Craft Fair, UCC, Cork
2010 ‘Generation’, National Craft Gallery, Ireland
2010 Designers and Makers 2009, FE McWilliams Gallery, Banbridge, N. Ireland
2010 UK/OK: Exploring Traditions in Contemporary Design, Oklahoma
2009 Workhouse Design Studios @ Red Aesthetic, Kilkenny, Ireland
2009 Future Makers, NCG, Kilkenny, Ireland
2009 New Designers: One Year On, London
2009 Leitrim Design House, Leitrim
2009 Winter Brooches, Studio 20/17 Australia
2009 Eblana, Dublin
2009 Showcase, RDS, Ireland
2008 Breaking Out, Kilkenny, Ireland
2008 Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition, Exhibition of Global Finalists, London
2008 RDS National Crafts Awards, Dublin
2008 New Designers, London
2008 National College of Art and Design Degree Show 2008
2008 Wearable Expressions, Palos Verdes Art Centre, California
2008 Off the Wall and on the Runway, Palos Verdes Art Centre, California
Nov 2007 Fusion Collection, designed and prototyped for Newbridge Silverware
Jan 2006 Tableware designed and made for Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin
2011 Future Maker Award, CCoI
2011 Nominated in Fashion Innovation Awards Jewellery Designer of the Year Category
2010 External Exhibitions Fund, CCoI
2010 Continued Professional Development Fund, CCoI
2009 Shortlisted for Craft Council of Ireland’s Practitioner Award
2009 Future Makers Exhibition Assistance Grant, CCoI
2009 Young Artist of the Year 2009 Award (LCAC)
2008 Award for Undergraduate thesis, NCAD
2008 Placed 9th in Bombay Sapphire Global Final
2008 Irish winner of the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition
2008 National College of Art and Design and Newbridge Silverware Jewellery Designer of the Year (Runner up)
Nov 2008 Ballymena Chronicle and Ulster Star
Sept 2008 Antrim Guardian
Aug 2008 Image, Fusion Collection
Jun 2008 Irish Tatler, Fusion Collection
May 2008 Sunday Times, Ireland AM, tv3 interview, Irish Independent, Metro, Sunday Business Post, Antrim Times
March 2008 Irish Tatler, Fusion Collection
