Etain Hickey
Etain Hickey is a ceramic artist and gallery owner in Clonakilty, Co Cork
Born in Dublin, studied Dun Laoighaire School of Art & Design, spent several years working in studio potteries in the UK, the Channel Islands and Finland. In the 80’s she moved to West Cork to set up her pottery studio with Jim Turner.
Etain now divides her time between her award winning shop and gallery in Clonakilty and her studio in Rossmore where she creates her individual ceramic pieces.
“I am passionate about Irish crafts and love organizing exhibitions in my gallery. Annually I choose a different theme and invite a diverse group of different makers working with different materials to interpret it. It is exciting to see what comes out of it and it always works well, and while it’s not a collaboration, there is a great interaction”.
In my handbuilt and thrown ceramics I explore my love of colour, patterns and textures using rich glazes and lavish decoration techniques incorporating gold. I work with different themes, but the richness of my West Cork surroundings, the rhythm of nature, patterns on a landscape shaped by the elements, the passage of time and the effects of man on it provide inspiration for my earthenware dishes.
When I start decorating I don’t always know what the next mark will be; I have to respond to each shape to try to capture some vitality and fluidity. It’s hard to say where inspiration comes from, but I love Icons, Oriental rugs, block print fabrics, Islamic art & architecture, painters such as Matisse, Chagall, Modigliani and Frieda Kahlo.
Etain’s ceramics have been internationally exhibited and purchased by the Dept of Foreign Affairs, The Ulster Museum, the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Fujita Museum Japan.
www.facebook.com/EtainHickeyCollections/
Etain on Istagram
Born in Dublin, studied Dun Laoighaire School of Art & Design, spent several years working in studio potteries in the UK, the Channel Islands and Finland. In the 80’s she moved to West Cork to set up her pottery studio with Jim Turner.
Etain now divides her time between her award winning shop and gallery in Clonakilty and her studio in Rossmore where she creates her individual ceramic pieces.
“I am passionate about Irish crafts and love organizing exhibitions in my gallery. Annually I choose a different theme and invite a diverse group of different makers working with different materials to interpret it. It is exciting to see what comes out of it and it always works well, and while it’s not a collaboration, there is a great interaction”.
In my handbuilt and thrown ceramics I explore my love of colour, patterns and textures using rich glazes and lavish decoration techniques incorporating gold. I work with different themes, but the richness of my West Cork surroundings, the rhythm of nature, patterns on a landscape shaped by the elements, the passage of time and the effects of man on it provide inspiration for my earthenware dishes.
When I start decorating I don’t always know what the next mark will be; I have to respond to each shape to try to capture some vitality and fluidity. It’s hard to say where inspiration comes from, but I love Icons, Oriental rugs, block print fabrics, Islamic art & architecture, painters such as Matisse, Chagall, Modigliani and Frieda Kahlo.
Etain’s ceramics have been internationally exhibited and purchased by the Dept of Foreign Affairs, The Ulster Museum, the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Fujita Museum Japan.
www.facebook.com/EtainHickeyCollections/
Etain on Istagram
