Oranmore based ceramicist is delighted at collaboration with singer/songwriter Imelda May
When Oranmore-based ceramicist Anne Rumpf opened her inbox, she never expected to find a commission request from one of Ireland's most beloved musical icons.
The founder of Ceramics by Anne had been selected by singer/songwriter Imelda May to create a bespoke ceramic merchandise piece for her tour, Raised on Songs and Stories.
"I didn't know straight away who it was for until they told me I got the commission. I couldn't believe it. Imelda is such an amazing talent, and I felt really honoured and proud that she picked me as a ceramic artist," said Anne.
Imelda's team had been searching specifically for an Irish-based ceramicist; someone who could capture the authenticity and beauty of Ireland in a way that would resonate with the spirit of the tour.
After an extensive search, they discovered Anne's website, where her Celtic Knot collection immediately caught their eye. The collection's hand-carved knot designs and striking metallic gold glaze were exactly what they had been looking for.
Working to a tight timeline, Anne proposed a design featuring her signature Celtic Knot trinity pattern with a heart at its centre. Each piece hand-carved and finished with Imelda's initials, "I. May."
I wanted to commission a unique piece of art for this tour
In less than two weeks, Anne had brought the trinket dishes to life, and Imelda loved the result. The dishes are now available exclusively as part of Imelda's tour merchandise.
"I wanted to commission a unique piece of art for this tour, something that would encapsulate the essence of Raised on Songs and Stories as it was finally time to bring it home to Ireland,” said Imelda.
“I'm thrilled to have discovered Anne. Her love for Ireland, and passion for her art are beyond evident in these Celtic Knot trinket/soap dishes. I love them,” she said.
The commission came at a particularly meaningful moment in Anne's life. Having spent over two decades working as an IT engineer, she recently made the bold decision to pursue ceramics full-time, a lifelong dream finally realised.
"I have been creative my entire life but chose the safe route with a steady pay cheque. After 20 years in IT, I finally took the leap into this beautiful creative business. Getting an opportunity like this is huge and exciting," she said.
Originally from a small town in northern Germany, Anne moved to Ireland straight after university more than 20 years ago and has never looked back.
"It is the love of Ireland, its people and culture that inspires my creativity,” she said.
That sense of place and belonging is what gives her work its authenticity and resonates so deeply with those who share a love of Ireland.
Anne was also invited to one of Imelda's concerts, where she experienced the tour's uniquely intimate atmosphere first-hand, and she was then invited backstage to meet Imelda in person where she gave her a carefully chosen gift – one of her handcrafted Irish Cottage oil burners.
To see more of Anne work, you can go to her website, www.ceramicsbyanne.com.
“Having watched her documentary Amhráin na nGael on RTÉ, in which she explored the Gaeltacht regions and her relationship with the Irish language through song and sean-nós singing, I felt the Irish cottage was the perfect symbol. For me it represents the old Irish way of life, and the language is at the very heart of that,” she said.