Joe Hogan

“It’s important to make the necessary beautiful and the beautiful necessary.”
‍Joe Hogan

Joe Hogan is a master craftsman - a basket-maker and fine artist who sits precisely at the seam where art and nature meet. The Shaking Bog is proud to present a very special exhibition of some of his exquisite ‘nests’. As Joe reflects: ‍

“The aim has not been to make copies of the nests of various species of birds but rather to make nest-like objects which prompt the feeling that we are looking at a bird's nest and thus evoke some of the feelings of joy and wonder which might accompany the finding of nests in the wild. The nests have an artlessness to them as I do not want it to be obvious that they have been made by a person.” ‍

This is a rare opportunity to encounter these extraordinary pieces - exquisite craftsmanship transformed into works of art. ‍

JOE HOGAN
In conversation with Maureen Kennelly‍

To launch the exhibition, on the opening night of the festival, we are honoured to welcome Joe Hogan to County Wicklow from his home on the banks of Loch na Fooey in Connemara. He will be in conversation with Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council and a former Board Member of The Shaking Bog. ‍

“He never counts how many pieces of willow he needs for a particular set of baskets: like an instinctive cook who doesn't need to weigh ingredients, he just knows.”
Rosita Boland, The Irish Times