Alan began working with wood from an early age. His work to date straddles the boundaries of contemporary craft, sculpture and architecture and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Alan’s creative approach is tied closely to his intimate understanding of wood and a desire to work directly with a given material when making a design.
Having graduated with a Masters in Architecture from University College Dublin in September 2015, Alan currently works out of his studio in County Laois, imagining and creating one-of-a-kind and speculative pieces for both public and private clients.
Education
2012 BSc Architectural Science, University College Dublin
2015 MA Architecture, University College Dublin including Semester at KTH Stockholm, Sweden
Awards
2013 Irish American Cultural Institute, Muriel Gahan Scholarship.
2016 Winner Best Start-Up Business and Best Young Entrepreneur, Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur (Co. Laois)
2017 DCCI, Future Maker of the Year 2017
2017 Winner of RDS Craft Award, Emerging Maker (Woodturning) and Irish Woodturners Guild Award
2017 Tresor Discovery Award at Tresor Contemporary Craft 2017, Basel, Switzerland
2018 Winner of the Best Start Up Business in Laois, National Enterprise Awards
2018 RIAI, Public Space Award for DLR Red Jetty
2018 AAI, Special Mention for DLR Red Jetty
2018 Winner Craft Awards Bursary, Royal Dublin Society
2019 Laois Exporter of the Year 2019, National Enterprise Awards
2020 Winner Furniture Category, Wood Awards Ireland
Selected Exhibitions
2022 ‘Collect’, The Leading International Fair for Contemporary Craft and Design, Somerset House, London
2021 ‘After the Fall’, Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford
2021 'Conjuring Form’, Doneraile Court, Cork
2021 ‘Made in Ireland’ , National Craft and Design Gallery, Kilkenny
2020 ‘After the Fall’ South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel
2020 ‘Maison et Objet’, Paris, France
2020 ‘Monument’, Galway City Museum
2020 ‘Connected’ with DCCI, Kilkenny Castle
2019 ‘House’, RDS, Dublin
2019 ’Wood’, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, UK
2019 'Painters & Makers' - SO Fine Art Editions, Dublin
2019 ‘BRAVURA’, Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford
2018 Sorti du Bois/ Out of the Wood, Deschambault Village, Quebec, Canada
2018 ‘Wood Work’, Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford
2018 ‘Artist in Craft’, Cill Rialaig Arts Centre, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry
2017 ‘Sculpture In Context’, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin
2017 RHA 187th Annual Exhibition, Ely Place, Dublin
2016 National Craft Awards, RDS Concert Hall, Dublin and National Museum of Ireland
2014 ‘Young’ at SO Fine Art Editions, 10 South Anne Street, Dublin
Collections
University College Dublin
The Daniel Collection, UK
Cill Rialaig Arts Centre, Kerry
Irish Embassy Helsinki; DFAT Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - The International Contemporary Collection of Irish Design & Craft.
Galway City Museum
Professional Affiliation
2021- 2022 DCCI Portfolio Critical Selection
The Michelangelo Foundation - Homo Faber Guide
