Craft photography exhibition set for Ballinahown

Ballinahown is hosting a major craft photography exhibition designed to celebrate the artistic quality and craftsmanship of contemporary Irish jewellery and accessories. The exhibition, Adornment, is a special collaboration to mark the Year of Craft (2011) between renowned photographer Agata Stoinska and producer/art director Eddie Shanahan. As well as working together for a host of commercial clients both had previously collaborated on Uncommon Threads a fashion photographic project that combined the work of iconic Irish designer Sybil Connolly with that of contemporary designers like Eilis Boyle, Ruth Duignan and Edmund McNulty in a series of stunning visuals. Adornment grew out of this project when Agata approached Eddie to come up with a new idea for an art photography collaboration. Originally it was intended to photograph the work of just six jewellery designers but the interest in the project was so immense that eventually three submissions days were held at D - Light Studios in Dublin with jewellers from all over Ireland submitting work for consideration. Both Agata and Eddie were astonished at the treasure trove of innovation, imagination and design talent uncovered, so much so that the original single day's shoot became three days - each with its own theme. The Adornment Exhibition opened Ballinahown on Thursday last and runs until December 3 and will include the work of many of the jewellers whose work is included in the photographs. The exhibition will comprise two theme, Adornment Hippie Deluxe in the Ballinahown Design Shop and Adornment Innocence at Core. The work of the local craft artist Helen Conneely will be included in Adornment Hippie Deluxe exhibition. Adornment Hippie Deluxe has already been showcased at the EU headquarters in Dublin however this is the first time that the Adornment Innocence images will be exhibited. As well as the photography exhibition, some of the original jewellery pieces will also be on view in Ballinahown during the exhibition. Agata Stoinska (Photographer) Agata Stoinska leads a variety of lives - Photographer, Studio Owner, Magazine Editor and Entrepreneur. An architect by trade, Stoinska set her sights on the world of fashion photography in 2003. Her personal work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Ireland, Europe and the United States. Her client list includes the leading names in advertising, fashion, magazine publishing and public relations. Unsatisfied with the range of studios Dublin had to offer, Stoinska set about establishing a large studio space in the city that would accommodate the photography, fashion, television and arts industries. She opened D-light Studios in early 2009. In the summer of 2010, Stoinska introduced the world to her latest endeavour; BLOW Photo Magazine - a large format image-based publication that features both emerging and established photographers Eddie Shanahan (Producer/Art Director) Eddie Shanahan has produced photoshoots and fashion shows for leadingIrish and international designers in Ireland, the UK, Belgium, France, Italy and the United States. He runs his own business consultancy specialising in branding, fashion, home wares and retail. He has organised product and business development programs for Enterprise Ireland, The Crafts council of Ireland and various County Enterprise Boards. Adornment is supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland.