DUBAI, 05 January 2021 – Featuring iconic pieces such as Ed Sheeran’s Lowden Sheeran Guitar, statement pieces from Irish designer, Colin Burke, and sustainable innovations in the ancient Irish sport of hurling, The Maker’s Gallery is an imaginative representation of the Ireland Pavilion’s theme of “Creativity at the Centre of Human Experience.”
Displaying items from the realms of music, fashion, technology and art, The Maker’s Gallery showcases pieces from innovators that are driven by a sense of endless possibility. Blending craft with tradition and function, with creative design, the gallery is supported by the Irish Design and Crafts Council, Ireland’s national agency for the commercial development of the design and craft industry.
In the design category visitors can admire Axiomilla II by UAE-based Irish artist Michael Rice, whose sculptural works are formed from a variety of materials to create objects using both traditional techniques such as bevelling, together with modern 3D methods. In the same category, Cecilia Moore’s Balance in Blue is a playful sculptural piece that combines ‘raising’; an ancient silversmithing hammering technique with patination.
The Maureen Sweater by Colin Burke is one of the highlights of the fashion category, demonstrating how the acclaimed Irish fashion designer and craftsman has redefined Irish knitwear, while designer Jennifer Hickey uses thousands of tiny porcelain pieces, hand-sewn onto fine tulle for her Feather Wreath creation.
Under technology, visitors will encounter Med3DP, a digital library of low-cost medical equipment for humanitarian healthcare; Torpey Bambú Hurley, which is redefining the sport of hurling with its sustainable hurley made from bamboo; the Sheeran guitars by Lowden, a range of high-volume, but affordable guitars which have adapted hi-technology and aerospace manufacturing techniques; and the genius of Stripe software which allows businesses to plug into websites and apps to connect instantly with credit card and banking systems to receive payments. In 2021, Stripe was valued at USD 95 billion.
