Sculpture In Context

An Excellent Sculpture At The Botanic Gardens By Bob Quinn

September 15, 2026 by infomatique

Bob Quinn — Best Night Ever: Positioned gracefully on the lawn with the Great Palm House in the background, Quinn’s tall, textured bronze depicts two slender figures linked arm-in-arm in evening wear. Inspired by his wife’s recollection of an uncle asking after a local dance whether they had “the best night ever”, the sculpture captures warmth, enduring friendship, and shared memories through quiet vertical posture and gentle physical connection.

SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM 24 FEBRUARY 2025

February 28, 2025 by infomatique

ORIGINALLY LOCATED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Located within the landscape of the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, “Sepian Blue” stands as a captivating testament to the power of bronze sculpture. This monumental work by Nasser Azam, relocated to a prominent position within the gardens, was originally exhibited as part of Sculpture in Context, Ireland’s premier showcase of public sculpture [Note: the 2024 exhibition was cancelled].

I can confirm that Sculpture in Context is indeed planned to return in 2025 to the National Botanic Gardens. According to their official website, Sculpture in Context is committed to exhibiting again in 2025. They are also planning a series of fringe events alongside the main exhibition. It seems they used the time after the 2024 cancellation to restructure and secure funding, ensuring the festival can continue with its usual ambition and scale.

So, it’s good news for sculpture lovers! “Sepian Blue” will have company in the Gardens once again.

Sculpture in Context: A Legacy of Public Art

Sculpture in Context, held annually at the Botanic Gardens, provides a unique platform for artists to display their work amidst the garden’s natural beauty. Sadly, the 2024 edition was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, “Sepian Blue” made such a lasting impression that it was acquired for the Botanic Gardens’ permanent collection, a testament to its artistic merit and enduring appeal.

Nasser Azam: A Life in Art

Born in Jhelum, Pakistan, in 1963, Nasser Azam moved to London with his family at the age of seven. His artistic journey began in 1980 while pursuing a business degree at the University of Birmingham. Early recognition came swiftly with a feature in a 1983 BBC documentary. Azam’s artistic development was further enriched by extensive travels across Japan, America, and Europe, broadening his perspectives and influencing his creative vision.

In 2007, Azam was appointed Artist-in-Residence at the County Hall Gallery in London, culminating in a retrospective exhibition of his work. He gained further acclaim for his “Anatomica” series, a powerful exploration of the human form that merges imagery from fashion magazines and medical textbooks.

Sculpting on a Grand Scale

Azam’s sculptural achievements are equally remarkable. In 2012, he unveiled “Athena,” a breathtaking bronze sculpture standing over twelve metres tall at London City Airport. This monumental work holds the distinction of being the tallest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom, a symbol of strength and grace against the modern architectural backdrop.

His other notable sculptures include “The Dance,” a large bronze piece dynamically capturing movement and unveiled on London’s South Bank in 2008. With “Sepian Blue” now gracing the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Azam’s artistic legacy extends across borders and mediums.

Artistic Style and Enduring Influence

Azam’s semi-abstract painting style, often drawing comparisons to Willem de Kooning, is characterized by biomorphic forms and expressive gestural marks that subtly encode the human figure. His paintings, typically employing a restricted palette, possess a profound evocative power, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of the human condition.

In 2010, Azam acquired the Morris Singer Art Foundry, subsequently relaunching it as the Zahra Modern Art Foundry. This significant move underscores his dedication to preserving traditional sculptural techniques and fostering the future of this art form.

WHAT IS LIFE SCULPTURE BY CHARLES JENCKS

October 4, 2024 by infomatique

AT THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS IN DUBLIN

What is Life? by Charles Jencks at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland

A Sculptural Exploration of the Cell and the Cosmos

Nestled within the serene landscape of the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, Ireland, lies a thought-provoking sculpture entitled “What is Life?” by renowned architect and landscape designer Charles Jencks. Created in 2013, this intriguing artwork delves into the intricate connections between the microscopic world of the cell and the vast expanse of the cosmos.

Form and Symbolism

The sculpture takes the form of a large, swirling mound, reminiscent of a cell undergoing division. Constructed from earth and covered in lush green grass, it blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings while simultaneously standing out as a striking artistic statement. Embedded within the mound are a series of pathways and steps, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of discovery.

As visitors traverse the sculpture, they encounter a series of symbolic elements that draw parallels between cellular processes and cosmic events. Stone carvings depict DNA strands, chromosomes, and other cellular components, while strategically placed rocks represent planets and stars. This juxtaposition encourages contemplation on the fundamental building blocks of life and the vastness of the universe.

A Dialogue Between Science and Art

“What is Life?” is not merely a static sculpture; it is an interactive experience that encourages visitors to engage with scientific concepts through the lens of art. Jencks, known for his work in landscape architecture and his interest in cosmology, seamlessly blends these disciplines in this piece. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, from the smallest cell to the largest galaxy.

SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS

August 28, 2024 by infomatique

WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE

Sepian Blue by Nasser Azam – A Closer Look at the Artist and the Sculpture

The Enigmatic Sepian Blue

It’s a curious fact that information about permanent public art installations at the Botanic Gardens can be so elusive. However, it’s widely believed that this captivating bronze sculpture, recently relocated within the gardens, is indeed ‘Sepian Blue’ by Nasser Azam. Originally positioned near the main entrance, this monumental work has found a new home within the gardens’ expansive grounds.

Update: A Sculpture in Context Legacy

A reliable source has confirmed that ‘Sepian Blue’ was initially exhibited at Sculpture in Context, Ireland’s premier showcase of public sculpture, hosted annually at the Botanic Gardens. This prestigious event has unfortunately been cancelled for 2024 due to unforeseen circumstances. It’s a testament to the sculpture’s impact that it has been acquired as part of the Botanic Gardens’ permanent collection.

Nasser Azam: An Artist’s Journey

Born in Jhelum, Pakistan, in 1963, Nasser Azam relocated to London with his family at the age of seven. His artistic journey began in 1980, coinciding with his pursuit of a business degree at the University of Birmingham. Early recognition came in 1983 when he was featured in a BBC documentary.

Azam’s artistic trajectory has been marked by extensive travels across Japan, America, and Europe. In 2007, he was appointed Artist-in-Residence at the County Hall Gallery in London, where he showcased a retrospective of his work. His notable ‘Anatomica’ series, merging imagery from fashion magazines and medical textbooks, was exhibited subsequently.

Sculpting Landmarks

Azam’s sculptural achievements are equally impressive. In 2012, he unveiled ‘Athena’, a towering bronze sculpture standing over twelve metres tall at London City Airport. This remarkable work holds the distinction of being the tallest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom.

His other notable sculptures include ‘The Dance’, a large bronze piece unveiled on London’s South Bank in 2008. Azam’s artistic contributions extend to the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, where ‘Sepian Blue’ now resides.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Azam’s semi-abstract painting style, often likened to that of Willem de Kooning, employs biomorphic forms and gestural marks to encode the human figure. His paintings typically feature a restricted palette, enhancing their evocative power.

In 2010, Azam acquired the Morris Singer Art Foundry, subsequently relaunching it as the Zahra Modern Art Foundry. This move underscores his commitment to supporting and advancing the art of sculpture.

VERONICA GUERIN MEMORIAL -229866-1

March 18, 2024 by infomatique

I USE THIS SCULPTURE AT DUBLIN CASTLE AS A REFERENCE

The Veronica Guerin Bust is a bronze sculpture located in the Memorial Garden at Dublin Castle. It was created by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie in memory of the investigative journalist Veronica Guerin, who was assassinated in 1996 for her reporting on organised crime. The bust depicts Guerin with a determined expression, symbolising her courage and dedication to uncovering the truth.

Today I used a Voigtlander APO LANTHAR 65mm F2 lens with my Sony FX30. This is a manual lens and it has worked very well when attached to my Sony A7RIV. In general he results were disappointing and I am wondering if there could be any reasons why the Voigtlander might not have been a good match for the Crop-Sensor FX30.

I am aware of the following:

Change in Field of View: Crop-sensor cameras have a smaller sensor than full-frame cameras. This means they effectively “crop” the image circle projected by the lens. My 65mm lens will behave more like a 97.5mm (approx) lens on the FX30 due to the 1.5x crop factor. This change in focal length can significantly impact composition and the feel of images.

While a 65mm lens will still capture images, the effective resolution will likely be lower on the FX30. This is because the same number of pixels from the lens’ image circle are being spread over a smaller area. I do not believe that this is a problem.

Focusing Challenges: As there is no EVF [viewfinder] manual focusing was very difficult on the FX30. I suspect that this was what caused the reduction in quality that I encountered.

The Voigtlander APO LANTHAR 65mm F2 is a fully manual focus lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, especially Sony E-mount. It’s known for its exceptional optical quality, build, and macro capabilities.

Key Features:

Apochromatic (APO) Design: This minimises chromatic aberrations (colour fringing), resulting in extremely sharp images with accurate colour rendition.
Macro Capabilities: Offers a 1:2 magnification ratio, allowing for close-up photography.
Fast f/2 Aperture: Great for low-light shooting and creating shallow depth-of-field for subject isolation.
All-Metal Construction: Exudes a premium feel and durability.
Smooth, Long Focus Throw: Precise for manual focusing.

Pros:

Stunning Image Quality: Delivers incredible sharpness, micro-contrast, and colour accuracy, even wide open.
Beautiful Bokeh: The smooth rendering of out-of-focus areas adds a pleasing aesthetic.
Excellent Build Quality: Feels solid and luxurious in its construction.
Versatile Focal Length: Useful for portraits, close-ups, and general “long normal” photography.

Cons:

Manual Focus Only: Not ideal for fast-paced shooting or those who strongly prefer autofocus.
Some Vignetting: Noticeable at wider apertures, but often adds a pleasing effect and easily corrected in post.
Price: Relatively expensive, but in line with similar, high-performance lenses.
Size and Weight: Can be a little bulky compared to some alternatives.

Best Suited For:

Detail-Oriented Photographers: Those who appreciate and prioritise top-notch image quality.
Macro Enthusiasts: The close-focusing capability makes it a great choice for macro work.
Portrait Photographers: The focal length and bokeh quality are excellent for portraits.
Deliberate Shooters: Those who enjoy the tactile experience and slower pace of manual focus.
Overall:

The Voigtlander APO LANTHAR 65mm F2 is an outstanding lens for photographers demanding the highest image quality and love the experience of manual focus. Its optical performance is hard to beat, making it a worthy investment for the right user.