Eileen Gray

We visited IMMA last night to view the retrospective of Eileen Gray, designer of E1027

Architect Fiona O'Herlihy gave a talk about the work of Gray - Here's the blurb: Architect’s Response | Ruth O’Herlihy

Thursday 17 October, 7.00 – 8.00pm, Galleries, IMMA
Eileen Gray regularly commented on how her Enniscorthy family home was the genesis for her architectural and design practice. As a frame of reference to discuss her retrospective exhibition Ruth O’Herlihy (Architect, Teacher, Director of McCullough Mulvin) reflects on domestic contexts, juxtapositions and the associated memories of spaces that act as a catalyst for her built work and ideas, coming from a rich architectural family context. Please note exhibition fee applies for gallery talks on the exhibition Eileen Gray Architect Designer Painter.

While O'Herlihy's talk was quite interesting I got the feeling that Eileen Gray and her work was not something that she was influenced by.  

I also am not convinced by her statement that Gray was a "good architect but not a great architect".

Here's a few pics of some of the furniture pieces designed by Eileen Grey.  The side table pictured is hugely iconic.

This piece was designed for and built in to E1027.

A drinks trolley designed by Gray

The retrospective in IMMA is on until early 2014 and I urge you to visit.  There is also the permanent Eileen Gray Exhibition in Collins Barracks Museum.  I visited this a few years ago and thought it was quite brilliant!