10 HANDS is a craft collective representing County Cork in a showcase at the National Craft Exhibition, China, this November 2018 and May 2019.
Cork County Council has supported the collective through the Creative Ireland Programme and has recently welcomed a delegation from the Jiangsu Province of China to Cork; the primary focus of the visit being the participation of 10 HANDS in the Chinese exhibition.
The group of ten artists who have contributed to the programme include: Angela Brady, Alison Ospina, Kieran Higgins, Paddy McCormack. Etain Hickey, Patrick Connor, Brian Lalor, Úna Burke,Jim Turner and Mary Palmer. Their crafts range from green wood chairs and clay ceramics to, copper etchings and glass fusions.
A relationship between Cork County Council, and China and the Jiangsu Province has led to the formation of a bilateral agreement that expresses a ‘shared ambition to promote two-way exchange’ between the regions. This will assist with economic developments, aswell as sharing knowledge and new thinkings within science, technology, sport, health, education, tourism, and culture industries.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey believes that this project conveys the commitment the Council has to innovation and creativity, and to sharing these ideas with their Chinese colleagues. The Creative Ireland Programme is a great initiative and a great starting point to supporting and creating connections with networks on an international level.
