Kevin O'Dwyer (silversmith)

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Kevin O'Dwyer

Rocking Teapot, forged, fabricated and patterned sterling silver.
Birth name Kevin O'Dwyer
Born 1953
New York, United States
Nationality Irish, American
Field Design silversmithing sculpture
Training Harriet Dreisseger, Chicago
Bill Frederick, Chicago
Heikki Seppa and John Cogswell, The School of the Art Institute, Chicago
Works 60 Degrees, Tippler Bridge

Kevin O' Dwyer is an internationally exhibited artist whose works embrace the fields of design, metalworking and sculpture. He creates primarily in silver.

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 taught students business and product development skills. He works from his studio in Durrow, Co. Offaly.

Works

His artwork is influenced by Irish prehistoric art, bronze-age artefacts, early monastic metalwork, and 20th century design and architecture. His childhood was divided between the monastic ruins of Tipperary and the skyscrapers of Manhattan.and this has influenced the way he approached the creation of artefacts or site-specific installations.[1]

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 Museum, 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 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."[2]

"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.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.kevinjodwyer.com
  2. ↑ Clifford, Helen. Hallmark of genius - Kevin O'Dwyer. Review of an exhibition held at the Artizana Gallery, Oct.-) 7 December 1994. Crafts, Mar./Apr. 1995, p.55

External links

Gallery

  • Architectural Salt and Peppers

  • Candlestick Centrepiece

  • Teapot on the Crest of a Wave

  • Sauce Boat

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