Biography
Róisín de Buitléar is a visual artist, an alumna of the National College of Art and Design NCAD Dublin Ireland. She has completed many site-specific installations of blown, cast and architectural work, drawing her inspiration from her cultural heritage. These can be seen in public and private buildings throughout Ireland, including the Blasket Island Centre Dunchaoin Kerry, National Botanical Gardens Dublin, W5 Science museum Belfast, Highfield hospital Dublin, Ballyroan Public Library Dublin and The Basilica of Knock Co Mayo.
After a working tour and exhibition in Japan in 1986 she joined the faculty of the National College of Art and design, and taught in the Glass department for two decades until 2006. She continues to be a dynamic mentor nationally and internationally and has taught in the UK, Japan, Canada, USA and France. As an invited speaker, she has lectured in Japan, USA, France, Denmark and Finland and writes regularly on glass, education and art practice.
Following a Crafts Council of Ireland bursary for excellence in her craft in 2009, and a residency at the Museum of Glass Tacoma Washington in 2010, she began working on CAUTION! Fragile, a collaborative exhibition with Irish glass masters, expanding on her experience of participatory and collaborative practice.
CAUTION! Fragile, Irish Glass Tradition in Transition , will open at the National Museum of Ireland in March 2018.
Her recent work focuses on sound and light for exhibition and performance. Solo exhibitions include ‘Ortha’ Kilkenny arts festival 2014 Ornamentation Solstice Art Gallery 2015, Macalla at Creggan Library Gallery Dublin 2016, Siansán Waterford Cathedral 2017 and the European Glass Context Denmark. She recently completed sculptures for Waterford University Hospital, the National Children’s Hospital Dublin and public art sculpture for the town of Headford Co Mayo. Her sculptural work will be on view in London, Bucharest and the RHA annual exhibition and Ireland Glass Biennale in Dublin 2023
In 2011 the Irish Postal Service, featured her work “Catch a breath’ on a national Stamp in recognition of her achievements to commemorate The National Year of Craft. She represented Ireland in the European glass biennale in Denmark in 2012 and in 2023. Her artworks are represented in National collections in Ireland, Britain, Japan, China and the US.
Creative director of Green Edge, an urban greening festival, Róisín’s work is based on community activity and sustainable biodiversity using creativity as a motor. As Project Director of Waterford the Glass City she brought a series of 8 glass-focused projects and exhibitions celebrating glass design to Waterford city as part of the ID2015 year of Design in Ireland.
Róisín was awarded the first artist's in residency at the National Museum of Ireland from Jan 2018 - January 2019 In 2022 she was awarded the RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary Award and in 2023 the crQlr Sustainaable Design award in Japan. Róisín is the cofounder of the Glass Society of Ireland Contemporary makers and took up the role of chair in 2019. The Glass Art Society of America awarded the GSOI a global impact award for thier innovative and impactful actions in 2023. Róisín also serves on the global board of the International Year of Glass, and the SoBig Glass festival in Biot France.
Artist's Statement
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. 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. At the core of the work are stories of my culture and these are told by using pattern, colour, form and the characteristics of the material. These stories are important to me to explain and share with others.
In my current work, I am exploring how to visualise aspects of climate change, and search for responses to highlight the evolving ecological crisis. It is a challenging subject and although difficult to work in a sustainable ecologically sound manner, I am searching for solutions. Problem solving is part of the ongoing investigation.
Profile
Born in Dublin, Róisín de Buitléar is an artist and educator who has been working in the medium of glass as a primary material since 1983. She has completed many site-specific installations drawing her inspiration from her cultural heritage. These can be seen in public and private buildings throughout Ireland, including the Blasket Island Centre, Dunchaoin, Co. Kerry; National Botanic Gardens, Dublin; W5 Belfast, Northern Ireland; Ballyroan Public Library, Dublin; and the Basilica of Knock, Co. Mayo.
Spanning architecture, sculpture, and design, her artwork is also represented in national collections in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain, Japan, China and USA. Her recent work focuses on sound objects for exhibition and performance.
CAUTION! Fragile Tradition in Transition a seminal exhibition focused on traditions of cutting and engraving glass in Ireland was on view at the National Museum of Ireland for 2018. Róisín was awarded the first artist’s residency at the National Museum of Ireland in 2018 continuing her exploration of legacy, ornamentation and Ireland’s narrative traditions.
Her studio is in Co Wicklow where she spent much of her childhood.
Download portrait image below. Photography credit : Rozarii Lynch