Craft NI are delighted to host the ‘Turning Turns 40’ exhibition, which celebrates the Irish Woodturners Guild 40th Anniversary; the exhibition features 40 exceptionally turned wood forms that demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and design, as well as carrying a message about the threat to the native Ash tree from Ash Dieback disease.

The starting point of the exhibition was a technical challenge for all participants, who were required to work from a uniform sized block of Ash. Over 360 cubes of Ash 15cm3 in size were distributed from which 40 final pieces were selected by an independent judging panel comprising Stephen O’Connell (Ireland) and woodturners Barbara Dill (USA) and Ulf Jasson (Sweden).

The exhibition highlights the critical issue that affects our native Ash tree: Ash Dieback disease. First detected in Ireland in 2012, the disease is now prevalent throughout the island and across Europe, threatening the native Ash.

In celebrating the IWG anniversary, the Guild also commemorates the offering and history that the Ash has provided to the Irish landscape through this lasting collection of native Ash crafted works of art.

Participating makers:

Patricia Berns, Sean Byrne, Imelda Connolly, John Deaton, Stephen Dowie, Harry Emerson, Paul Finley, John Flynn, Kevin Geaney, Mike Gray, Graham Griffith, Eugene Grimley, Oliver Hackett, Philip Hart, Ger Hennessy, Emmet Kane, Anthony Keenan, Charley McCarthy, Tom McCosh, Sean McGann, Martin McNamara, David Miller, Alan Monaghan, Patrick Murphy, Hugh Nolan, Paddy O’Connor, Liam O’Neill, Seamus O’Reilly, Padraig Phelan, Jack Quearney, Liam Quirke, Kieran Reynolds, Noel Roche, Tom Ronayne, Donal Ryan, John Sinnott, Paul Spiers, Rob Steen, Jim Stevens, Louise Wilde