On the 4th December, 2010, the gallery was featured in the Property section of the Irish Examiner.  Here’s the full article, by Carol O’Callaghan:

Full article text:

 

Carol O’Callaghan talks to Justine Looney about her new design gallery

Showing heart in a recession

In the midst of IMF fear and anxiety, it’s easy to forget the success stories — and they are out  there — created by the mavericks, the optimists and others forging ahead, holding steady, doing business as usual.

One such bold and brave individual is design curator Justine Looney who launches her design gallery ‘I Heart Design” in Cork today, where she will showcase and sell work by established and up-and-corning Irish designers.

Having landed back in her home town of Cork just six weeks ago, after working in gallery management in London, she’s establishing her gallery in a space she shares with her sister, ?oral artist Eavan, at 104 Douglas Street.

“The gallery is a celebration of Irish design,’ she says. It’s a platform for people to see it, and in a positive light,” says Looney.  ”I also want it to be an education as well as an opportunity to buy if you wish.”

Clearly passionate about her subject, and showing an acute understanding of the long-term value of design — aesthetically and financially — she says: “I would rather see someone part with their money for something they really love than throw it at three things as might have happened a few years ago. Things became disposable and I like the idea of heirlooms, something to pass on that tells the story of what you did.”

And it is these sort of things that fill her inaugural exhibition, which she intends will be followed up by four more in 2011.

“I love Jenny Walsh’s furniture,” she says. “She’s so passionate and doing great things for Ireland.  Her designs are new and brave.”

Looney has chosen two of Walsh’s pieces to exhibit. One is the Isometric wall unit in solid walnut (€500), an intriguing design that allows books to be displayed optimally, thanks in part to optical illusions created by quirky and clever angles that characterise much of her work.  Another of her pieces in the exhibition is her coffee table (€1,750).

This low-level table, entitled My City, is a beautiful contemporary design, its surface finished with a criss-cross along the contours that reveal beautiful lines of walnut. It is inspired by a map of Walsh’s home city of Dublin.

A little theme of eco and recycling is evident in the range of eclectic lamps by Locker 13 Design which is headed up by Shane Wilson and Karl Medcalfe.  They have adapted fabric conditioner bottles to form the bases of these witty pieces, and they’ve topped them with fun multi-coloured shades (€225).

Another witty product comes from Niamh Buckley whose Love Birds could be described as a mobile for adults.  Little patchwork fabric birds sit on a painted branch and can be hung from a ceiling at any time, but would make a lovely decorative piece at this time of year (from €80).

And for anyone who loves vintage and designer fabrics, check ou the work of Jo Howard who has reclaimed such fabrics and fashioned them into cushions using beautiful stitching skill that results in an immaculate finish (€50).

For a touch of the sculpural, Looney is also including the Family Silver Block by Sasha Sykes (€580), a designer who might be best described as a maker of functional art, such is the beauty of her work blended with design defining function.

The exhibition piece featuring old family cutlery embedded in resin is a departure into the decorative and an intriguing development for fans of her work.

“Its hugely important to realise the possibilities of buying something unique,” says Justine.  ”Don’t be intimidated by design – it is function made beautiful.”

I Heart Design opens today at 104 Douglas Street, Cork.

www.iheartdesigngallery.com??