furniture

Joseph Walsh was born in Co. Cork in 1979, where he founded his studio in 1999 and currently lives. Self taught, Joseph’s broad experimentation with wood began at an early age. He has further developed his craft over the years, travelling extensively in Europe, Asia and the US, visiting many designer makers, galleries and museums. Through skills and techniques learnt during this period, his passion for design and a sensitive use of materials, he has developed a truly unique style.

He describes his work as “the merging of art and design guided only by the sensitive use of materials, excellence in making and purity in structure and form.” In 2008 The Sunday Times described Joseph as “just one of a handful of Irish designers whose work belongs in the international world of functional sculpture.” Joseph’s creations can be seen in the collection of The National Museum of Ireland, The Embassy of Japan Dublin, Coillte – The Irish Forestry Company and public and private collections in Ireland and overseas. In 2006 Joseph opened a new Studio adjacent to his workshop just 45 minutes drive from Inchydoney.

In the Enignum series of work, I have stripped wood into thin layers, manipulating and reconstructing them into free form compositions. I then shape through these layers to reveal not only the honesty of the structure but the sculpted form which is a unique collaboration of man and material. The title derives from the Latin words Enigma (‘mystery’) and Lignum (‘wood’), for me they sum up the series: the mystery of the composition lies in the material.

Please click on the link below to see RTE’s The View review of  Joseph Walsh’s exhibition Enignum and other stories. Review starts 15mins into the programme on Rte Player,  http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1125580
Website:     www.josephwalshstudio.com