Ceramic artist makes donation to Boyle Civic Art Collection
Marian Ahern, chairperson of the Boyle Civic Art Collection, and Conor Dowling, curator/secretary of the collection, with the blue-grey lava-glazed porcelain vase gifted to Boyle by Irish ceramic artist Vivienne Foley.
A unique porcelain work by Irish ceramic artist Vivienne Foley has been gifted to the people of Boyle through the Boyle Civic Art Collection.
The work, a blue-grey lava-glazed porcelain vase (c.1994), represents a distinctive and experimental phase in her practice.
Created during a period of technical innovation between 1993 and 1998, the piece utilises silicon carbide (carborundum) within underglaze slips to produce a richly textured surface characterised by pitting and crater-like formations. This highly specialised process, fired at approximately 1260°C, contrasts with the smooth, refined finishes more commonly associated with her porcelain work.
Speaking about the piece, Vivienne explained, “From about 1993 to 1998 I experimented with the chemical compound silicon carbide to create heavily textured glazes. Today I have only seven works from this period in my own collection and I count them as an important phase in my ceramic life.”
Originally exhibited in New York and produced in very limited numbers, the lava-glazed works were created primarily for collectors. The donation of this example to the Boyle Civic Art Collection is of particular significance, representing both a rare technical exploration and an important moment within the artist’s wider career.
Vivienne also highlighted her personal connection to the area: “I have special family connections in Roscommon and we always enjoyed the days out at King House, so I am delighted to be able to donate a unique blue-grey vase to the Boyle Civic Art Collection.” The Boyle Civic Art Collection, housed primarily in King House, is recognised nationally for bringing high-quality contemporary Irish art into a civic context. This donation strengthens the collection’s commitment to representing the breadth of Irish artistic practice, including ceramics, and enhances its role as a cultural resource accessible to the local community.
Marian Ahern, current chairperson of the civic collection commented, “This is an important addition to the collection. Vivienne Foley’s work represents a significant contribution to Irish ceramics, and this particular piece captures a rare and experimental moment in her practice.”
The work will be incorporated into the Boyle Civic Art Collection and available for public viewing as part of future exhibitions at King House.
