Róisín de Buitléar is an artist, educator, curator and writer. She has worked with glass sculpture since 1982, drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage. She has site-specific installations in public buildings throughout Ireland. Her artworks are presented in public collectionsin Ireland, Britain, Japan, France, China and the US.
Did Sea form the Land or land the Sea ©Róisín de Buitléar
Her recent work focuses on sound objects for exhibition and performance. “CAUTION! Fragile Tradition in Transition”, a seminal exhibition focusing on traditions of cutting and engraving glass in Ireland, is currently on view at the National Museum of Ireland, where she is the inaugural artist-in-residence for 2018.
Artwork from Molton Series ©Róisín de Buitléar
Artwork from Molton Series ©Róisín de Buitléar
Artwork from Molton Series ©Róisín de Buitléar
She is currently engaged in designing a national sound garden for Dublin City Council, and signature exclusive sculptures for the National Children’s Hospital Dublin. Róisin uses the glassblowing, engraving and cutting techniques to bring her glass sculptures to life.
“Chanter ” ©Róisín de Buitléar
“Resonance ” ©Róisín de Buitléar
Connections between Ireland and Scandinavia are deeply rooted in her culture. Determination, ambition and design brought these invaders to her land. Within lies a strange history of gifts as well as stolen treasure. These histories have played a strong role in the conceptualization of Roisin de Buitlear’s works.
Her Skeletal Trace is a blown-glass hollow form engraved with a wheel rim diamond point conjuring the image of a Viking ship navigating fjords. The piece evokes the cultural connection between Ireland and Scandinavia.
Clear © Fred Merz / Michelangelo Foundation
Golden is a blown-glass, topaz-colored, hollow form with an undulated wheel-cut rim, balanced on a glass ring. This glass sculpture conjures the image of a landscape made of transparent light. It evokes the time between night and dawn, when, through the veil of what can be seen, we glimpse another world.
Golden © Fred Merz / Michelangelo Foundation
The intense color of the setting sun at the edge of the Atlantic on Ireland’s coast inspired Ballinskelligs. Darkening evening light stretching out over an ancient landscape to worlds beyond. The surface of this deep orange, hollow, blown-glass bowl has been wheel-cut and engraved with a diamond point.
Ballinskelligs © Fred Merz / Michelangelo Foundation
The Best of Glass Sculpture and Glasswork Art: Michael Behrens
