Andrea Villaester
*
Andrea Villaester *
“To me,“Islands of Design” is about how every creative person has their own world of ideas, influences, and ways of making.”
Aoife Mulvenna (FADA Studio)
*
Aoife Mulvenna (FADA Studio) *
“Our island is built on collective imagination and visual communication; a place where design becomes dialogue. Within the archipelago of Belfast’s design community, we see collaboration as the streams and rivers that connect our shared waters.”
Ciaran Magee
*
Ciaran Magee *
“To me, “Islands of Design” implies a level of disconnection or containment, be it geographical or between different design disciplines. An exhibition like this bridges that divide, bringing the work of designers from different regions and specialities together to share knowledge and inspire creativity.”
Katie Wilson
*
Katie Wilson *
“My interpretation of “Islands of Design” takes inspiration from the island of Ireland itself. Each piece is an abstract reflection of the landscapes around us - from the Mourne Mountains and the rugged North Coast to the landmarks and energy of Belfast and Derry. The colours, textures, and shapes of these places are a constant source of inspiration in my work.”
Kristen Robb (Worthy Earth Apparel)
*
Kristen Robb (Worthy Earth Apparel) *
“Islands are notoriously special - full of life that is specialised to place and has long coexisted alongside local people, shaping human and non-human relationships, heritage crafts, and rich culture. The insular environments that islands provide give designers the opportunity to look deeper, to see more, and to notice what others might overlook.”
Laura Bragger
*
Laura Bragger *
“I view “Islands of Design” as an approach to foster sustainability by promoting practices that not only support but actively protect the planet. This concept underscores the critical importance of integrating environmental responsibility into creative processes, encouraging designers to prioritise environmental balance and long-term preservation.”
Lauren Kelso
*
Lauren Kelso *
“Both of my pieces are independent in their own right, represented as “islands of design.” However, their individual meanings speak well to each other when placed together collaboratively in a symbiotic fashion.”
Matthew Talbot
*
Matthew Talbot *
“With the theme, “Islands of Design,” I think I would explore how creativity flourishes in isolation. From literal islands to the figurative “islands” of independent thought that shape our world.”
Saul Duffin (YEO Magazine) *
Saul Duffin (YEO Magazine) *
“For me, “Islands of Design” is about finding your own style and seeing how it fits into the world - or even better, how it doesn’t at all.”
Tarika Kinney
*
Tarika Kinney *
“Showcasing my work at Islands of Design feels especially meaningful after my recent collection, The Irish Sea. That body of water connects this small island to the wider world, a reminder that Irish creatives continue to make waves far beyond our shores.”