ABOUT
I am passionate about Ireland, its culture, traditions, language and natural beauty. I evolve work that is contemplative, meditative and which reinforces the simple delight of gracious line.
I have been fascinated by glass as much for its beauty as the challenge of working with it. I am continually inspired by the endless creative possibilities that glass offers. This fascination with transmission of light, shadow and sound also offers opportunities to work in different materials that either are combined with glass or exploit similar characteristics.
I often work in collaboration with other crafts people or communities to explore share and develop ideas and issues of social concern. I make small-scale objects and large installations for public and private buildings. I work in layers, using the inherent beauty of the material to draw the viewer into the pieces through light, shadow and colour.
Through investigating ideas of sound and glass to create a visual and aural resonance of culture, I explore ideas of legacy. Ornamentation, nuances of expression and characteristics of our narrative traditions are central to this work. Objects and performance are used to create ephemeral site specific experiences which are not recorded but remain in the memory of those who physically experience the moments of creation and collaboration.
Culture tradition and identity are powerful resources that can give us a creative advantage. Working with reusing glass in a creative and sustainable way is how I am evolving new work that addresses climate change. It is now we must act with this fact in mind as future generations will blame us for knowing the seriousness of our present situation and for ignoring it to their detriment. I am using the beauty of glass as a starting point for these conversations.
Róisín de Buitléar
National museum of ireland
Artist in Residence 2018