David Comerford

In the mid - eighties my father gave me a book on Woodwork, at the time I was working as a Shop Fitter in Switzers Department Store in Dublin and he no doubt though that this book would come in useful in my job. Little did he or I realise that it would be the catalyst that would take me in a very different path. It was the section on Woodturning that inspired me to turn my first tiny bud vase out of a piece of 'pine' on a drill. I have been woodturning ever since.

I started turning on a full-time basis from the end of the 'eighties' and up until about 2003 I turned pretty much 7 days a week, it was probably a bit of an obsession. Demand for my work was high and my passion to make it was equally high. I will admit to being a perfectionist and I set very high standards and goals for myself.

In September 2003 my wife and I moved to Kilkenny where I took a year and a half out to build our new home.
When I got back to my turning in 2005 the economy was changing and recurring allergies to dust, slowed my output. The passion is still there and I am still working with wood
Inspiration:
The artwork of Ancient civilizations have always been a fascination of mine, especially Celtic artwork. I regularly visit the Museums in Dublin...

I am a self taught artist and have studied the work of the great masters and various artists over the years. I am constantly researching techniques and methods, hence learning something new every day.

1994 'Renaissance of Irish Craft', Philadelphia, U.S.A.
1996 'Collaborations', with Ceadogán Rugs, Vanguard
Gallery, Macroom, Co. Cork,
1997 Solo exhibition, Loch Ruary House, , Dundrum,
Co. Down
1998 Chosen by the European Crafts Council to
represent Ireland in a touring exhibition travelling
to major European cities
1999 Exhibition at Whichcraft Gallery, Dublin – first
showing of wood turned vessel cast in bronze
2000 'Celtic Contemporary', Folkstone, Kent, England
'Wood from The Trees', Whichcraft Gallery,
Cows Lane, Dublin
2001 Group exhibition with Ceramic Artists Ayelet Lalor
& Ann Marie Brannigan at Ceadogán Gallery,
Wellington Bridge, Wexford
2003 'Tribute to Tony Boase' Wood Gallery, Hay-on-
Wye, Herefordshire, UK (Group exhibition of
International woodturners
2005 ' Art Ireland', RDS Ballsbridge Dublin 4
represented by DesignYard Gallery
2008 'Neighbours', Éigse Arts Festival, Carlow
2012 Solo Exhibition, Clay Creations Gallery,
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny – Kilkenny Arts Week

AWARDS
1994 The Crafts Council of Ireland Award, E.B.S.
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