Short Biography

Holger was born in Schmallenberg, Westphalia, Germany. He trained as a furniture maker before studying architecture in Detmold and lithography and sculpture in Belfast, where he also completed a DPhil applying gestalt psychology to the perception of time in art. While researching design-for-sustainability for The Eden Project in Cornwall, he became interested in the ecological aspects of many Irish craft traditions and curachs in particular. Subsequently he has run many workshops in curach making (The Yarner Trust, Devon; Basketry and Beyond, Cornwall, 2004; Celtic Maritime Festival, Rathlin Island, etc.) and built several of the west coast boats himself, including a 26’ Kerry naomhóg.

Holger’s sculpture work centres around the interaction of people with their cultural and natural environments, with the sea being a recurring theme. He is currently artist-in-residence at Oxford Island National Nature Reserve and works and lives near Lough Neagh.

Selected Work and Publications

Through Time and Tide, exhibition on the cultural heritage of the currach in Ireland. Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff; Glór, Ennis; Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, 2005-2006

An Lorg Brain, exhibition on The Voyage of Bran in collaboration with Anne Burke, 2006

Design (R)evolution, exhibition of design-for-sustainability for The Eden Project, Cornwall, 2004

A Humble Skiff, Resurgence, Nov./Dec. 2005, No. 233

Grow Your Own Boat, Water Craft, by Steve Graham, Sept./Oct. 2005, Nr. 53