Spotlight on the Irish Craft Collective FORM Anniversary Exhibition

There’s something quite special about the fact that FORM’s very first exhibition was held at Borris House - and now, ten years later, we’re marking our anniversary in the very same place. It wasn’t something we planned, but rather something that unfolded naturally, as if the venue chose us again.

It was very special to see some of the former members of the collective after so many years, it felt a bit like a school reunion - familiar faces, shared memories, and the sense that no matter how much time has passed, the bond remains. There was real joy in catching up, seeing how each person’s work has evolved, memories and what's going on now.

Framed mixed media art at the back-left by Mairead Holohan, front-left carved Kilkenny limestone bowls by Martin Lyttle, front-center side table by Cillian Ó Súilleabháin, on the right wood vessels by Darragh Sinnott, far-back quilt by Tomomi MsElwee.

At the core of FORM lies a deep respect for the art of making - where every piece is not just an object, but a story shaped by hand, time, and place. We’re passionate about promoting our region as a vibrant destination for exceptional craft and design.

For me and many of the other makers, the collective represents a rare and invaluable space where skill, vision, and mutual respect come together. It offers the chance to grow not only as individual artists, but as part of a wider conversation about excellence in Irish craft.

Group photo with the guests, not all current and previous members are in the photo. Left to right back row: Martin Marley, Darragh Sinnott, Suzy O'Keefe, Mary Bourke, Cornelia McCarthy, Martin Lyttle, Mary O'Neill, Cillian Ó Súilleabháin, Stephen O'Brien. Left to right front row: Nicola Brown, Emma Jane Champley, Leiko Uchiyama, Tomomi McElwee, Liga Valge.

One of the most rewarding parts of this exhibition has been sharing it with others - family, friends, guests, and members of the wider community who’ve come to show their support.

Their genuine appreciation, conversations, kind words, and encouragement means so much. It’s in these moments of connection that craft truly comes to life - when it’s not just seen, but felt and understood.

FORM anniversary exhibition was an opportunity to set myself a challenge. I wanted to push myself - to explore new techniques, refine my approach, and present work that felt both personal and evolved.

The pieces are inspired not only by the raw beauty and unique textures of Ireland’s Copper Coast, but also by my deep personal connection to the area. It’s a place that holds so many special memories for our family. It is our favourite destination, where we’ve spent countless days exploring, relaxing, and simply being together.

I’ll be sharing more about the inspiration and the individual pieces in an upcoming blog post in June.

If you’d like to learn more about the talented makers behind FORM and explore the diverse range of work we create, I invite you to visit FORM Designmade in Carlow website. There you’ll find individual profiles, photo gallery and contact details. Whether you're a collector, buyer, or simply curious about Irish craft, it’s a great place to start discovering more about this distinctive collective of Irish makers .

Returning to Borris House felt like coming full circle, a gentle reminder of how far we’ve come as a collective, and how the spirit of place and craft continue to intertwine in meaningful ways.

A big thank you to the Design & Crafts Council Ireland for kindly supporting our exhibition and helping us celebrate 10 years of craft and creativity.

Last but not least a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the exhibition and to all who continue to support us whether near or far.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you visited the exhibition, have questions about my new designs, or simply want to share what resonated with you in this blog post, feel free to get in touch using contact form below.

Thanks for reading,

Liga