Stephen Farnan
Stephen Farnan completed a BA in Ceramics at the University of Ulsterand an MA at the Royal College of Art in London.
In 2002 he established his studio in the Priory, Benburb. His work has a utilitarian aspect – bowls, cups, platters and teapots – often with historical reference but essentially contemporary and always challenging preconceived ideas of craft function and the role of ceramics in a contemporary world.
Stephen uses a wide palette of clay and firing processes, red earthenware, porcelain and stoneware clays using the material qualities of clay, glaze and firing with bold confidence and a sensitive perception.
Materials Used:
Professional Experience
2009 Solo Exhibition, MISE Art Space, Barna, County Galway
2007 Smithsonian Institute Washington, featured maker in an exhibition of contemporary Northern Irish craft
2006 “Dysfunctional pottery”, Main Gallery, Market Place Arts Centre, Armagh
2005 “Serial Pots”, Tandem Design
2001 “Foreign pots”, Rubys Gallery, San Francisco
2007 The Ardagh Bowl, presented to President of Ireland, Mary McAleese
2007 & 2006 Contribution to Traditional Culture Awards, Tommy Makem and Tommy Sands
2005 The Presidents Bowl, made for the Cormac McAnallen Leadership Lecture. Presented to President Mary McAleese
2005 The Ambassadors Bowl, presented to Tim OConnor Irish Ambassador to New York
2002 Regional winner of Shell Livewire Entrepreneurial Awards UK
Collections
Aras an Uachtarain
USA Irish Embassy, New York Irish ambassador Tim OConnor, private
Work is also held in private the collections of Emmanuel Cooper OBE, Alison Britton OBE, Dame Mary Peters and Mary Hanafin TD
2009 Home Grown Profile ,Living Design
1999 Rosenthal – New Routes New Destinations (Catalogue) Frankfurt, London, Milan and Stoke-on-Trent
