Craft NI’s new initiative – C3, Collecting Contemporary Craft - aimed at stimulating the collectors market in Northern Ireland, was launched at an exclusive event at the Ulster Museum in November.

The gala launch, which was supported by Northern Bank, saw ten selected designer-makers, who produce work in a range of contemporary craft media, exhibiting their work for an audience of private galleries, art collectors and buyers.

For the exhibitors the event provided an opportunity to establish connections with the developing collectors’ market in Northern Ireland.

Among these was ceramicist Adam Frew, whose work was purchased at the event by Belfast’s Taylor Art Gallery, on the Lisburn Road.

The gallery, which specialises in contemporary and fine Irish art, immediately saw the potential for Adam’s ceramics to appeal to their portfolio of art collectors.

As founder of the Taylor Gallery, John Taylor, says, “We were very excited to see the works of so many contemporary, innovative craft works on display at the C3 event.

The standard of work was extremely high and the exhibited works demonstrated a mastery of craft skills and finely-tuned artistic signature.  

“We purchased two pieces of Adam’s work for our personal collection and his work, which is now featured in the gallery, is generating a very good response from our clients”, John explained.

“When we select work, often it’s about seeing how collectors might respond to it”.

“Most of Adam’s work tells a story which allows the viewer to continually revisit the piece and seeing new and wonderful things in its quirky decoration.”

Adam has enjoyed considerable success internationally, points out that the market for craft here at home is relatively untapped:

“For me, participating in the C3 programme was a great way to show the artistic value of contemporary craft to potential collectors, helping to open up new markets here at home.

I have exhibited internationally and have worked with galleries in London and throughout the UK and I would like to build up a similar customer base here in Northern Ireland.”

Joe Kelly, Director of Craft Northern Ireland, which champions the needs of the craft industry, says that this is exactly the kind of outcome that we would like to see from the collectors initiative,

“We would like to strengthen a collectors’ market here in Northern Ireland that re-establishes the relationship between patron and artist and encourages commissioning for corporate and personal craft collections.  

“The C3 programme aims to encourage a wider understanding and appreciation of the artistic value of contemporary craft and develops both local and international recognition for designer-makers working in Northern Ireland”.
 

URL: http://craftni.org/directory/maker/adam-frew