DUBLIN.- Leading ceramicists from around the world will travel to Ireland this September to attend the 46th General Assembly of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC2014), which takes place at Dublin Castle. This is the first time that this prestigious biennial event, which provides both a forum for the debate of contemporary ceramic issues a showcase for work by global members of the Academy, which will take place in Ireland. The IAC represents individual and collective members from over 50 countries, including internationally acclaimed artists, academics, collectors, curators and institutions representing ceramics worldwide.

The General Assembly, which is being attended by IAC members from across the globe, will include a three-day international conference, a Members Exhibition featuring up to 160 pieces of work, and a series of international exhibitions in the grounds of Dublin Castle from countries such as Korea, China, Croatia and Norway. The accompanying Dublin Craft Trail specially produced to coincide with IAC2014 will also include extensive exhibitions presenting Irish and international ceramics as well as a wide range of other contemporary crafts.

Entitled ‘Moving Objects – From Geographic Pasts to Virtual Presence’, the conference will take place at The Printworks in Dublin Castle from Tuesday 9th to Thursday 11th of September and will explore contemporary ceramic practices within four key themes – Past; Hybrid Practice; Identity and Influence; and Future. The three-day programme features 21 invited speakers and includes acclaimed international ceramicists such as Brendan Tang, Katie Bunnell and Neil Brownsword as well as renowned Irish practitioners including Claire Curneen and Ingrid Murphy.

A particular highlight of the General Assembly will be the Members Exhibition at Dublin Castle, showcasing current international work and the breath of innovation, creativity and technical skill amongst IAC members. Entitled Moving Objects, the exhibition will offer local and international visitors a unique opportunity to experience contemporary ceramic practice around the world. Following the General Assembly, much of the work featured in the Members Exhibition will be gifted to Ireland as a legacy of the event.

IAC2014 is a partnership initiative between the International Academy of Ceramics, the University of Ulster, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, Ceramics Ireland and conference coordinators MCI, and has been produced by the local organising committee chaired by ceramicist and IAC Member Michael Moore.

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland said it is a great privilege for Ireland to host the IAC’s biennial General Assembly this year. “We are delighted to have been involved in the planning and preparations for IAC2014 and to have the event taking place at Dublin Castle, for which we are indebted to the Office of Public Works. Featuring internationally renowned speakers, this conference provides a timely opportunity to explore both historical and contemporary ceramics, to exchange ideas and to collaborate on addressing shared issues. We look forward to meeting the IAC members during their visit to Dublin and to forging further links with the international ceramics community in order to ensure the vibrancy and ongoing development of the ceramics sector for generations to come,” said Ms. Hennessy.

The Dublin Craft Trail, which has been specially produced by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI) to coincide with IAC2014, will run throughout September and is a free cultural offering to the general public. The aim of the Dublin Craft Trail is to highlight the strength and diversity of ceramic practice in Ireland and abroad, together with all disciplines of contemporary craft and design. Exhibitions featured in the Dublin Craft Trail include:

· Through Time and Space: Contemporary Chinese Ceramics at the Chester Beatty Library (Monday 8th September 2014 – Sunday 11th January 2015)

An exhibition featuring a selection of works by 15 renowned Chinese ceramic artists, representing a wide range of contemporary Chinese ceramic art, from historical heritage to future exploration through a range of materials, techniques and styles. These works have been donated to the Chester Beatty Library.

· Clay in Transcendence – Contemporary Korean Ceramics at Castle Hall (Saturday 6th September – Saturday 13th September 2014)

An exhibition presenting work by 30 Korean artists, focusing on the diverse ceramic development that has been taking place in Korea in the 21st century. This marks the first time, since 2007, that a major contemporary Korean ceramic exhibition has been shown on the island of Ireland.

· In the Margins of our Minds at Coachhouse, Courtyard Archway & Chapel at Dublin Castle (Monday 8th September – Thursday 25th September 2014)

An exhibition presented by Norwegian Crafts featuring selected artists Corrina Thornton, Lillian Tørlen and Katrine Køster who each work with site responsive projects.

· Centred at Farmleigh Gallery, Phoenix Park (Friday 8th August – Sunday 5th October 2014)

Presented by Ceramics Ireland, this independently juried exhibition will feature the work of 36 contemporary ceramic makers including Nuala O’Donovan, Frances Lambe, Deirdre McLoughlin, Katharine West, Alex Scott, Claire McLaughlin and Cormac Boydell.

· Generation : Innovation at NCAD at NCAD Gallery (Friday 5th September – Friday 12th September 2014)

An exhibition celebrating the work of NCAD’s lecturers and alumni, artists-in-residence and collaborators, featuring artifacts, functional tableware, abstract vessels, figurative sculpture, architectural ceramics and site-specific installation, as well as conceptual works in performance and video.

· make|shape: collaborations in clay at The Ark (Wednesday 8th September – Saturday 18th October 2014)

An exhibition of clay, making and sharing leading visitors on a playful exploration of the practices of eight ceramic artists who have worked on CRAFTed, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s primary schools programme. The exhibition considers how educational projects may reflect back within the artists’ own work.