Two from Cork show fruits of their labour
Two women from Cork has been chosen to take part in an international fair for contemporary craft and design,
Helen O’Shea and Mary Palmer are two of 16 designer makers that Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has announced will take part in Collect 2026. Taking place in Somerset House, London from Thursday 26 February-Sunday 1 March, the designer makers will represent Ireland and exhibit their work under the theme of Four Seasons.
Collect is a global marketplace for museum curators, interior designers and collectors to source the finest contemporary craft and design from a wide range of exhibiting disciplines and materials.
Mary Blanchfield, CEO Design & Crafts Council Ireland said: “Collect 2026 marks an exciting new chapter for Ireland’s vibrant design and craft community. The artists joining us this year exemplify the innovation, skill, and creative vision that continue to define Ireland on the world stage.
“Our partnership with Crafts Council UK and the Department of Foreign Affairs remains central to strengthening Ireland’s global design footprint, and we are delighted to champion these remarkable makers as they share their work with international audiences. Collect provides an invaluable opportunity to celebrate Irish craftsmanship, and we are proud to support our artists as they inspire, engage, and contribute to the evolving global conversation on contemporary craft.”
40 leading galleries, dealers and collectives representing more than 400 of the most exciting contemporary designer makers will gather at Collect 2026 from countries across the globe including the UK, Asia, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East.
Julia Ravenscroft, Curator of the DCCI area said: “This year’s presentation by leading Irish designer makers brings a fresh perspective to the rhythms of the four seasons.
“Furniture will sit alongside textiles, ceramics, and woodwork, jewellery, metal work, glass and found materials, with each piece echoing subtle shifts in light, colour, and form.”
She added: “Spring’s renewal, summer’s abundance, autumn’s reflections, and winter’s clarity appear as gentle thematic threads rather than overt motifs, allowing the work’s individuality to come to the fore.
“Collect 2026 will highlight Ireland’s vibrant creative community, showcasing designer makers who balance innovation with rigorous material understanding. The result will be an engaging experience that invites visitors to sense the seasons in unexpected ways,” she concluded.