A VERY inspiring exhibition of contemporary jewellery opened on Thursday night in Designyard in Temple Bar. Work by over 30 Irish based jewellers was chosen for inclusion in the show which will travel to the Barbican Centre in London later this summer. As you'd expect there is a lot of gold, silver and precious stones on display, but Kilkenny based Brigette Turba gets the ecofriendly vote her brooches and pendants are made from plastic Ballygowan bottles and old toothbrushes.
Showing that the rivalry between the Crafts Council and Designyard is more rumoured than real, the selection panel was led by Leslie Reed who, having worked or the Crafts Council in Kilkenny for years, has just been appointed its chief executive, replacing Carmel Buttimer.
The opening party was crowded and very stylish. Exhibitors Bill and Christina Steenson, who own Belfast's most adventurous jewellery gallery (called Steenson's Gallery, of course), came to Dublin for the party, as did Dinah Pyatt from the Barbican who was pleased at the prospect of having such a great collection on show in London.