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Sam Gleeson MSDC

Metal Work

About sam
Sam is a bladesmith specialising in crafting knives as contemporary tools designed for both professional kitchens and home cooking. These knives are not just functional but also a source of creative inspiration. His practice allows one foot in the two worlds of craft & visual arts - in the intersection is the narrative of why we make. He draws inspiration from centuries-old techniques while seamlessly integrating them into the contemporary era. Each blade is a culmination of careful selection of base materials, representing an ever-evolving knowledge of metal fusion and forging.
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Biography Back to top

Sam is an artist and bladesmith with a passion for natural materials and the re-use and re-imagination of man-made waste.

The development of tools has been a defining aspect of Homo sapiens and set us apart from other primates. Arguably, the knife was one of our first tools. Today, it remains an indispensable part of daily life, connecting people across food traditions, generations and geographical locations through materials, techniques and shared skills.

Sam's work encapsulates this culture, these ideas, stories and heritage in a form we can all recognise. Whilst the function of the knife is quintessentially what creates its form, within the object lies a range of material properties which also inform its quality and its aesthetic. At the intersection of these forms is where he forges stories of the history of the materials into elemental sculptures.

High carbon steels are nestled amongst unexpected gems of wrought iron cartwheels, whiskey barrel straps or ships anchor chains. Handles are ergonomically shaped from timbers of long-forgotten orchards, exotic limbs of storm damaged trees from Irish Estate Houses, or relics from millennia-old forests found buried in the boglands. Beach found plastics are juxtaposed with industrial carbon fibre cast offs to accentuate the form.

Resumé Back to top

2025

  • Upcoming – Selected for joint exhibition, April 2025, Súil Gallery, Ennis, Ireland
  • Selected for Fertile Ground, Munich Jewellery Week, March 2025, Donner Gallery, Germany
  • Selected for Notions: Home, Place and Speculations, Feb 2025, Limerick, Ireland
  • Selected as National Climate Ambassador, An Taisce, Ireland

2024

  • Selection for European Prize for Applied Arts exhibition presented by the World Crafts Council and BeCraft, Belgium
  • Homo Faber Exhibition ‘The Journey of Life’, Venice, Italy
  • CONTOURS exhibition and auction, curated by Hermans Auctioneers, Dublin
  • Rings In Water International Exhibition, presented by ULUV, Slovakia
  • 'Tools as Art’ international exhibition, American Artist Blacksmiths Assoc, USA
  • Inclusion to Arts and Industry metalwork permanent collection, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin

2023

  • Inclusion in ‘Pathways’ exhibition for August Craft Month, Belfast, N. Ireland
  • Inclusion in Kokland International Festival of Handicrafters, Uzbekistan
  • Inclusion of work into Homo Faber International Crafts Guide

Pre-2023

  • All work is for private commission and sold to chefs, private buyers and restaurants from around the world; commissions included The National Gallery of Ireland, Ballymaloe Cookery School, DesignPop, Jameson Whiskey, Tullamore Dew, The Taste of West Cork, The Web Summit, Irish Museum of Modern Art, with collaborative pieces for The Devon Guild of Crafts and OXO Tower, London

Furniture Commissions:

  • 2018 – Interior deign and build of restaurant including kitchen and feature dining table, Irish oak, concrete, steel, ceramics, reclaimed timbers. Little Fox, Ennistymon.
  • 2017 – Dining table, bench set and book shelves in Irish oak and corten steel, private collector, Dublin and New York.
  • 2015 – Interior design of home and kitchen build, reclaimed timber, concrete, glass, steel. Ard Bia House, Galway
  • 2014 – Dining table for food hall in National Gallery of Ireland – Irish oak and mild steel, commissioned by Chef & restauranteur Domini Kemp and the National Gallery, Dublin
  • 2012 - 2014 – Sculptural furniture and site specific sculptures for entrances and stages for The Web Summit, reclaimed timers, mixed media. Dublin
  • 2014 – Design and build experimental kitchen and dining tables, Irish oak, concrete, steel. The Fumbally Stables, Dublin
  • 2014 – Concept and build features for Dilisk Food Project pop up dining experience, reclaimed timbers, mixed media. Connemara
  • 2013 - 2017 – Site specific sculptures for Ballymaloe Litfest, mixed media and reclaimed timbers. Cork

Education :

  • 2023 – Smelting and bloom iron refinement course, various tutors, The Furnace Festival, Ireland
  • 2022 – Damascus Integral knife workshop, tutor Nick Anger, Center for Metal Arts, USA
  • 2022 – Composite Mosaic damascus workshop, tutor Salem Struab, Center for Metal Arts
  • 2020 - Laminated steel workshop Level 1 and 2, tutor Joel Black, Herfordshire UK
  • 2019 - Forging chefs knives and damascus steel introduction, tutor Joel Black, Herefordshire
  • 2018 – Intermediate Blacksmith course, Limerick CFE, Ireland
  • 2018 - MIG Welding course, Shannon Training Centre, Ireland
  • 2007 - 2010 - Environmental building and Eco materials project for development of new schools in Africa, led by Partner Ghana and Sabre Trust, Western Region, Ghana.
  • 2004 – 2005 - Masters In Primary Education, Worcester University via Somerset SCITT Programme, UK
  • 2000 – 2003 - Sculptural Furniture Making Apprenticeship, Carl Hahn Designs, Devon, UK
  • 1996 – 1999 - Bsc Environmental Chemistry, University of Plymouth, UK.

Media:

  • 2024 – THINK BUSINESS – Bank Of Ireland profile piece, John Kennedy https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/a...
  • 2024 – We Are Makers, podcast series – international arts and crafts, Scotland https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
  • 2024 – Visual Artist Ireland, The Van magazine – artist profile, Thomas Pool https://visualartistsireland.c...
  • 2024 – Blade Runners, Irish Times magazine, feature article, Deirdre McQuillan https://www.irishtimes.com/lif... tools-to-hone-their-cult-status/
  • 2024 – We Are Makers, Issue 10 – international arts and crafts magazine, Scotland
  • 2023/4 – ‘Repair, Reuse, Rewear’ a work in progress short film for Finisterre, UK
  • 2022 - Imeall, TG4 – Irish arts program, feature piece https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
  • 2022 – The Daily Telegraph UK, Saturday Magazine travel article, Ciara Mcquillan
  • 2021 – Introducing, Irish Examiner Magazine, feature article, Joe Mcnamee https://www.irishexaminer.com/...
  • 2021 – Sharp Minds, Irish Independent, Feature article, Bairbre Power https://www.independent.ie/sty... give-crafty-designs-a-leg-up-in-retail-40244599.html
  • 2021 – The Home Show, Newstalk FM, Irish radio broadcast, feature piece
  • 2020 – Making the cut – introducing Ireland's artisan knife makers, Food and Wine Magazine, Alex Meehan
  • 2020 – WeAreMakers – Issue 1 - International makers magazine, Scotland
  • 2018 – Carved Out – Image Interiors magazine, article and photographs, Lauren Heskin.
  • 2018 – The Gannet – international food magazine, feature article.
  • 2018 – Irish Times Magazine – Carving a niche, article for Ulster Bank

Awards Received :

  • 2024 – Arts Council Ireland – Agility Award
  • 2024 – Golden Fleece Awards – Applied Arts shortlist prize
  • 2024 – Clare County Council – Local Area Grants Scheme, Artist Support
  • 2024 – Creative Ireland – Projects Award teaching support
  • 2024 – Creative Europe / Goethe Institute – Culture Moves education award 2024 – World Crafts Council - education support
  • 2023 – Future Makers Award – Emerging Maker, travel and education support 2023 -Creative Ireland – Projects Award workshop support
  • 2023 – Clare County Council – Local Area Grants Scheme, Artist Support
  • 2022 – Clare County Council – Community Artist Support Grant
  • 2021 – RDS Crafts Award - professional development bursary
  • 2020 – Future Makers Award – Emerging Maker, studio support
  • 2018 – ‘One to Watch for 2019’ , Image interiors Magazine
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