Róisín de Buitléar

Biography

Róisín de Buitléar has been working in the medium of glass as a primary material since 1983.  She has completed many site-specific installations of blown and cast work, drawing her inspiration from her cultural heritage. These can be seen in public and private buildings throughout Ireland, including the Blasket Island Centre Dunchaoin Kerry, National Botanical Gardens Dublin, W5 Belfast, and the Castle Espie Wetland Centre Strangford Lough Northern Ireland.

Róisín is an alumna of the National College of Art and Design, graduating with 1st class honours in 1983, studying under the guidance of John Murphy (IRL) Wayne Filan (USA), Elizabeth Mc Clure (UK). After her studies she travelled to Copenhagen, Denmark working with Darryle Hinz and Anja Kjaer at Glasverkstedt and later with Charlie Meaker in Britain. After a working tour and exhibition in Japan in 1986 she joined the faculty of the National College of Art and design, and taught in the Glass department for two decades until 2006. She continues to be a dynamic mentor nationally and internationally and has taught in the UK, Japan, Canada, USA and France. Last summer saw her returning to teach at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School, USA, for the second time.

She has recently completed a residency at the Museum of Glass Tacoma Washington and is currently working on two major exhibitions of glass sculpture for 2012/13 expanding on her experience of participatory and collaborative practice. Her artworks are represented in public and private collections in Ireland, Britain, Japan, and USA. Róisín is the current chairperson of the Golden Fleece advisory committee and the cofounder of the Glass society of Ireland Contemporary makers.