Grand Stuff: Label Art from Ireland

Curated by Niall McCormack

Dates: November 2022 – October 2023

This exhibition explores Irish label art from the 1890s to the 1990s. Included are vibrant examples of labels for minerals, beers, whiskies, hotels, linens, groceries, and pharmacies. The important part of Ireland’s material culture has been overlooked and this is the first exhibition of its kind in Ireland. Many of Ireland’s designers of label art are anonymous artists. It is collections like this one that really preserve their work: their memory lives on in their layouts, lettering, illustration and filigree. Through this exhibition, McCormack aims to inspire people to think about design in Ireland in the early 20th century and how it was more vibrant, diverse and sophisticated than many might imagine. The exhibition also explores the social, cultural, political and technological changes that influenced their production and proliferation. Grand Stuff is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media.

Response Print

Lettepress artist Dave Darcy of One Strong Arm was invited to respond to the exhibition and designed a print showcasing fictitious typography-inspired companies, products, and brands borrowing from the visual language of the exhibition, all highlighting some of the lesser-seen glyphs, punctuation, sorts and symbols.