Kevin O'Dwyer (silversmith)
Encyclopedia
Kevin O' Dwyer is an internationally exhibited artist whose works embrace the fields of design
, metalworking
and sculpture
. He creates primarily in silver
and his creations have been noted for their restrained and formal proportions, both functional and decorative. However the lively and witty nature he achieves is not betrayed to a mere whimsical status.
He began his training in 1979 with jeweller Harriet Dreissigger and continued his studies with silversmiths William Frederick and Heikki Seppa. He has also occupied roles as artist in residence in the U.S state of Georgia
and lecturer in design methods at the National College of Art and Design
, Dublin, where he greatly influenced students in their research and design development by means of introducing them to business and product development skills. He now works from his studio in Durrow, Co. Offaly.
, Espace Paul Ricard (France), Governor’s Palace (Belgium), Sculpture in the Parklands
and the National Museum of Ireland
. O’Dwyer has represented Ireland in over 40 international exhibitions as well as lecturing and teaching masterclasses in Europe and the United States. He founded Sculpture in the Parklands, a pioneering land-art sculpture park in Lough Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly in 2002. He directs and curates the on-going programme at the sculpture park which provides artists with the opportunity to respond to the rich environmental and industrial heritage of the peatlands.
"The future of silver is in the hands of modern craftsmen such as Kevin O’Dwyer who uses the wealth of past experience to forge ahead with new ideas." Elise Taylor, Curator of Applied Arts, Ulster Museum
"Kevin O’Dwyer’s artwork in silver is light of touch and light of heart; the stuff of which museum collections are made. Angular forms combine with flowing forms, playing off against each other. A little triangular Sauceboat curls its handle in the air like the tail of a cartoon mouse, while a Vessel in silver and gold applies the same airy curl to a more dignified sculptural form. O’Dwyer has an affinity with the sculptural interpretation of mundane household items, but especially with teapots. His Party Teapot abandons itself to a wild coiffeur of silver, like the wedding headdress of an old lady with more money than sense, while a self contained Rocking Teapot balances quietly on a curved base, made from a continuation of its handle." Eleanor Flegg, Irish Arts Review, Spring 2005
"O’Dwyer’s silverware, teapots and candlesticks are truly dramatic in design. Each beautiful handcrafted piece defies convention. Indeed, their ambiguity blurs the boundaries between function, fashion and pure sculpture." Ramez Ghazoul, Director, Artizana Gallery.
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, metalworking
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
and sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
. He creates primarily in silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
and his creations have been noted for their restrained and formal proportions, both functional and decorative. However the lively and witty nature he achieves is not betrayed to a mere whimsical status.
He began his training in 1979 with jeweller Harriet Dreissigger and continued his studies with silversmiths William Frederick and Heikki Seppa. He has also occupied roles as artist in residence in the U.S state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and lecturer in design methods at the National College of Art and Design
National College of Art and Design
The National College of Art and Design is a national art and design school in Dublin, Ireland.-History:Situated on Thomas Street, the NCAD started as a private drawing school and has become a national institution educating over 1,500 day and evening students as artists, designers and art educators...
, Dublin, where he greatly influenced students in their research and design development by means of introducing them to business and product development skills. He now works from his studio in Durrow, Co. Offaly.
Artist Statement
For over 30 years my artwork has explored the subtleties of ritual and imagination. Irish prehistoric art, bronze-age artefacts, early monastic metalwork, 20th century design and architecture are my creative influences. Equipped with this visual vocabulary I create artefacts that often combine the textured surfaces and flowing lines of our past with the strong and austere forms of modern architecture. The ultimate goal is to create a work of art that is timeless, thought provoking and responsive to the human spirit. A childhood divided between the rich monastic ruins of Tipperary and the skyscrapers of Manhattan has profoundly influenced my sense of place and the way I approach the creation of intimate artefacts or site-specific installations.Exhibitions
His works have been purchased by collectors the world over including Nelson Mandela, King Carl Gustus (Sweden),The Japanese Imperial Family, President Bill Clinton and King Juan Carlos (Spain) . His work is featured in public collections including the High Museum (USA), Racine Museum of Art (USA), The Victoria and Albert Museum Ulster MuseumUlster Museum
The Ulster Museum, located in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, has around 8,000 square metres of public display space, featuring material from the collections of fine art and applied art, archaeology, ethnography, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history, numismatics, industrial...
, Espace Paul Ricard (France), Governor’s Palace (Belgium), Sculpture in the Parklands
Sculpture in the Parklands
The Sculpture in the Parklands is a land and environmental sculpture park located in Lough Boora, Co. Offaly, Ireland. The park is open to the public 365 days of the year and admission is free. Wheelchair access and disabled parking are available at the sculpture park. The Offaly Ways passes...
and the National Museum of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
. O’Dwyer has represented Ireland in over 40 international exhibitions as well as lecturing and teaching masterclasses in Europe and the United States. He founded Sculpture in the Parklands, a pioneering land-art sculpture park in Lough Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly in 2002. He directs and curates the on-going programme at the sculpture park which provides artists with the opportunity to respond to the rich environmental and industrial heritage of the peatlands.
Reviews
"O’Dwyer’s extravagant teapots have the same confident presence as those Rocco examples of the eighteenth century that made teatime such a social and cultural focal point.""The future of silver is in the hands of modern craftsmen such as Kevin O’Dwyer who uses the wealth of past experience to forge ahead with new ideas." Elise Taylor, Curator of Applied Arts, Ulster Museum
"Kevin O’Dwyer’s artwork in silver is light of touch and light of heart; the stuff of which museum collections are made. Angular forms combine with flowing forms, playing off against each other. A little triangular Sauceboat curls its handle in the air like the tail of a cartoon mouse, while a Vessel in silver and gold applies the same airy curl to a more dignified sculptural form. O’Dwyer has an affinity with the sculptural interpretation of mundane household items, but especially with teapots. His Party Teapot abandons itself to a wild coiffeur of silver, like the wedding headdress of an old lady with more money than sense, while a self contained Rocking Teapot balances quietly on a curved base, made from a continuation of its handle." Eleanor Flegg, Irish Arts Review, Spring 2005
"O’Dwyer’s silverware, teapots and candlesticks are truly dramatic in design. Each beautiful handcrafted piece defies convention. Indeed, their ambiguity blurs the boundaries between function, fashion and pure sculpture." Ramez Ghazoul, Director, Artizana Gallery.
External links
- A Sparkling Party - Selected Works in Silver
- Millennium Silver Collection
- Kevin O'Dwyer Design
- Kevin O'Dwyer Resume
- UCD Scholarcast
- Sculpture Installation at University College Dublin
- LinkedIn Arts Management Profile
- UCD Sculpture Trail
- Culture in the Cutaway