Joseph Walsh Studio History and Culture

Central to Joseph Walsh’s and his studio’s practice has been the cultivation of the design, craft, arts and culture sector in Ireland. For nearly twenty years the studio has created platforms for and discourse surrounding design in Ireland; locally, nationally and internationally. Joseph Walsh Studio aims to create discourse around the value of making, the importance of retaining skills and the impact this work can make within our homes, our workplaces and public spaces

CREATE

Create was established to deliver an exhibition of work by Ireland’s leading furniture designer-makers. From 2003 to 2006, four exhibitions were held in Cork, Kilkenny and Dublin. The series was supported by Coillte, the Crafts Council of Ireland, GMT, Letterfrack, The Furniture College and Fota House and Gardens, OPW, Enterprise Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland.

CREATE

  • 2004

    • Extracts from CREATE

      National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Ireland

  • 2003

    • CREATE

      Fota House, Cork, Ireland

  • 2005

    • CREATE

      Fota House, Cork, Ireland

  • 2006

    • CREATE

      RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin

    • dubh / dialogues in black dubh / dialogues in black, American Irish Historical Institute New York, 2011
    • MATERIALpoetry MATERIALpoetry, American Irish Historical Institute New York, 2010
    • dubh / dialogues in black dubh / dialogues in black, American Irish Historical Institute New York, 2011

STUDIO practice

STUDIO practice facilitated a dialogue between design/architectural practices and studio makers, aiming to expose each collaborator to new approaches in design and making. Through two major exhibitions, STUDIO practice presented work in a broader cultural context.

STUDIO practice

  • 2010

    • MATERIALpoetry

      American Irish Historical Society, 5th Avenue, New York

  • 2011

    • dubh / dialogues in black

      American Irish Historical Society, 5th Avenue, New York

    • Falling Dansu, 2012

Diadimo

Following the successful collaboration with O’Donnell + Tuomey, as part of STUDIO practice, the Diadimo project was initiated by Joseph Walsh in 2012. Diadimo explored the culture of collaboration, those moments of genius and innovation that emerge from the dialogue of multiple disciplines - artists, craftsmen, designers, and engineers. Seeking to challenge, question and innovate, Diadimo sought to create intelligent, beautiful, high-quality objects.

Learn more about Diadimo practice, projects and collaborators

Diadimo Projects

    • Vessel

      Created for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 as part of O’Donnell + Tuomey’s installation in the Arsenale Corerie, Vessel was originally inspired by a study of Greek Chapels, of the seclusion and protection they offer. The gilt lining and golden light resonate a richness of material and colour within its hollowed out form, while its name is suggestive of embodiment, enshrinement and containment.

    • FALLING DANSU

      Created through a dialogue with O’Donnell + Tuomey, Falling Dansu is a contemporary reinterpretation of the bureau desk that brings to mind the tradition of the cabinet of curiosities. Hanging on the wall as a mysterious architectural object, the front panel folds down to reveal a luxurious and highly personal inner world. Constructed from the highest- quality solid Ash plywood, it epitomises the finest of contemporary cabinet making.

    • THE HISTORY CHAIR

      Created through a dialogue with Design Partners, The History Chair seeks to embody a sense of time and pre-history; the prior life of the material, of the designers, and the a priori idea of the chair itself. The essence of the History Chair, formed from solid ash, is about craftsmanship and humanity, authenticity and permanence.

    • MAKING IN 2022
    • MAKING IN 2019
    • MAKING IN 2022 Film Screening

MAKING IN

MAKING IN began as Decoding Craftmanship (2017), a two day series of talks and workshops, which opened the conversation on how emerging technologies can enable a new forms of craftsmanship. Joseph Walsh established MAKING IN in 2017 to celebrate making as a significant aspect of our culture. Conceived as an annual gathering where creative voices were invited to share their stories of making in art, architecture, design and craft, MAKING IN has featured leading Irish and international names. MAKING IN seeks to share international perspectives and to sow the seeds of new ideas around the culture of making.

Learn more about MAKING IN and the MAKING IN Movement

MAKING IN

  • 2017

    • Making In - Decoding Craftsmanship

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

    • Making In

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2018

    • Making In

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2019

    • Making In /19 - Public

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2020

    • Making In /20 - Place

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2022

    • Making In /22 - Time

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2023

    • Making In /22 Film Launch

      Penn 1, 34th Street, New York City, USA

    • Making In /23 - Concert

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland

  • 2024

    • Making In /23 Film Launch

      Bibliothèque nationale de France, 58 Rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris, France

    • Making In /24 - Circle

      Joseph Walsh Studio, Fartha, County Cork, Ireland