Three Dublin artists have won a whopping €10,000 at the RDS Craft Awards.
Alla Sinkevich (textiles), Edward Coveney (furniture), and Genevieve Howard (jewellery) were awarded the bursaries for their excellent craft and business skills on Tuesday.
Alla, who is originally from Lithuania, said: “I am extremely grateful and humbled to receive the RDS Craft Award. It is a huge boost to my confidence as a recent graduate and designer-maker at the turning point of my career.
“The prize will enable me to purchase high quality sustainable materials and equipment to help create a new body of work. This award makes a big difference to my creative development and sustainable design practice.
“I wish to thank RDS, the judging panel and everyone involved for their support and generosity.”
The winners were selected following an examination of their work and an interview process to give financial support at a critical time in their developing professional career.
Edward said: “It's truly appreciated and affirming to know that our fusion of sculpture, functionality and celebration of the natural material has found recognition.
“Thank you for recognising me as a craft maker and my business Elements of Action.
“The award will support our Elements of Action studio expansion, allowing me to get more space and better safety equipment.”
Meanwhile Genevieve plans on using the bursary to strengthen her talents in the hopes of developing a strong career.
She said: “My work draws on different elements which fuse aspects of traditional design with digital technology. As I come from a musical family and had training as a classical pianist before entering Art College.
“The RDS craft award will enable me to take my craft more seriously with a view to developing a strong career for the future. I can now fully focus on my craft and on developing new work which I am in the process of doing during my MFA at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.”
Other winners included Sinead Brennan (glass) from Wexford and Egle Banyte (jewellery) originally from Lithuania now living in Belfast.
Róisín de Buitléar, chair of the judging panel said: “The jury was impressed by the awardees clarity of expression, artistic integrity, and very high-quality craftsmanship. Their individual commitment to their craft practice was passionate and professional in approach.
“The final choice was unanimous, and four of the five awardees are women. The choice reflects cross cultural influences, national and international applicants and a variety of craft areas”
