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New York

Victor Gallery Hosts Special Irish Exhibit Featuring Rugs

New York exhibition spotlights Irish wool heritage, artistry and symbolism through historic and contemporary works.

4/7/2025
A rare antique Donegal Carpet
A rare antique Donegal Carpet, crafted from native Irish wool, on view and available for sale for the first time.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Victor Gallery is currently showcasing "Fibre as Legacy: Preserving Irish Wool, Celebrating Irish Artistry," an exhibition by Rhyme Studio that highlights the rich cultural and material history of Irish wool through rugs, sculpture and design. The exhibit is open at 232 E. 59th St., and is available for viewing by appointment, Tuesday to Friday.



Installation view of "Fibre as Legacy" at Victor Gallery, showcasing contemporary rugs by Brooklyn-based Rhyme Studio.

The exhibit pays tribute to the legacy of Irish wool in both historic and modern forms. Visitors can explore rare antique Donegal Carpets —crafted from native Irish wool and on sale for the first time — alongside contemporary custom wool works that bridge heritage with innovation. These pieces embody Rhyme Studio’s approach to "material intelligence," connecting age-old traditions to evolving modern design.


A custom wool rug from Rhyme Studio featuring snake motifs inspired by 7th-century Irish Insular Art.
 
Drawing inspiration from 7th century Irish Insular Art, the exhibition includes motifs of snakes—a powerful symbol of rebirth, wisdom and transformation across cultures. Their inclusion takes on added significance in 2025, the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, deepening the exhibit's resonance with themes of shedding the old and embracing renewal.


Sculpture by Irish artist Helen O’Connell, whose stonework evokes the timeless energy and layered history of her chosen medium.
 
Complementing the textile works is the stone sculpture of award-winning Irish artist Helen O’Connell. Her works serve as a tactile and visual counterpart to the wool rugs on display. “Stone for me is a mythical, timeless and layered repository of past experience,” O’Connell notes. “I am so compelled by the energy it holds that I return time and again to this chosen medium.”

Appointments for guided tours of the exhibition can be made by contacting Rhyme Studio directly at inquiries@rhymestudio.com. 
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