Public Art

THE BEST NIGHT EVER BY BOB QUINN AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS 4 OCTOBER 2024

October 5, 2024 by infomatique

THERE IS A DUPLICATE IN CITY WEST

Here’s what I know about “The Best Night Ever”:

Depicts: Two figures, seemingly women, walking arm in arm with a sense of joy and ease. It captures a moment of simple happiness and connection.
Style: Quinn’s style is described as expressionist and figurative. He uses his knowledge of anatomy to abstract the human form, focusing on movement and emotion.
Location: You can find it nestled amongst the trees in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Mystery: Interestingly, there’s no plaque or sign explaining the sculpture, which adds to its intrigue.

A few other interesting tidbits:

Two versions: There’s actually another casting of this sculpture in City West, Dublin. When I photographed the one in City West security advised me to leave immediately as photography was not permitted.
The artist: Bob Quinn is a well-established Irish sculptor with a long career in advertising and design. He’s known for his evocative bronze figures that often capture everyday moments.

TEMPLECRONEY STONE SCULPTED BY MICHELLE BYRNE

September 10, 2024 by infomatique

CARLOW TOWN 30 AUGUST 2024

The plaque describes this stone sculpture map of Carlow town and the River Barrow as a sculpture created by artist Michelle Byrne. It was unveiled on November 29, 2013, and is located beside the Barrow River in Carlow.

The sculpture is titled “The Templecroney Stone,” and it features a detailed and accurate depiction of Carlow town and the river as they appeared in 2013. The map was carved into the stone using an overlay technique, creating a permanent “image” of the town for future generations to appreciate.

Michelle Byrne is a member of the 9 Stones Artists group, and this sculpture reflects her recent foray into stone sculpting, showcasing her talent and creativity.

Based on my research, here’s what I can tell you about 9 Stones Artists:

Formation and Location: 9 Stones Artists is a collective of professional artists formed in 2004. They are based in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains in South County Carlow, Ireland.

Members: The group consists of nine members:

Michelle Byrne
Cathy Fitzgerald
Annabel Konig
Anthony Lyttle
Remco de Fouw
Martin Lyttle
Jules Michael
Rachel Joynt
Gwen Wilkinson

Focus and Activities: The group engages in various collaborative projects and exhibitions, showcasing their individual artistic practices and exploring themes related to their environment and community. They have collaborated with book artist Ciara Healy on “The Book Project,” which resulted in a book of hand-printed woodblock prints reflecting on their relationship to their practice and place of work.

Exhibitions and Recognition: Their work has been exhibited in various locations, including the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow.

In essence, 9 Stones Artists is a dynamic collective of artists based in County Carlow, Ireland, dedicated to creative expression and collaboration.

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.

FAMINE MEMORIAL BY SCULPTOR JOHN MC KENNA

August 26, 2024 by infomatique

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE DROPPING WELL PUB IN MILLTOWN

The Dropping Well Pub in Milltown stands as a poignant reminder of the Great Famine’s devastating impact on Ireland. Its origins as a community morgue in 1847, during the worst year of the famine, are indeed chilling. Further underscoring its connection to this tragic period, a dedicated Famine Memorial, sculpted by John McKenna and unveiled in 1997, stands prominently at the pub’s entrance, serving as a solemn tribute to those who tragically lost their lives.

SCULPTURE OF A SWAN BY ANNETTE McCORMACK

August 23, 2024 by infomatique

AT THE STRAND PARK IN NEWBRIDGE CHRISTMAS 2012

There is a sculpture of a Swan – Cosantóir (protector) at the entrance to the Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge.

Name of artist: Annette McCormack
Name of artwork: ‘Cosantoir’ – Protector
Year of installation: 2010
Medium: Bronze
Location: ‘The Strand’ park, Newbridge

Artist’s Background: Annette McCormack is an Irish sculptor known for her figurative works in bronze. Her pieces often explore themes of nature, mythology, and the human condition. She has exhibited widely in Ireland and internationally.
Artwork Description: “Cosantoir,” meaning “Protector” in Irish, is a bronze sculpture of a swan.
It’s a life-size representation, capturing the bird’s graceful form and powerful presence. The swan is depicted with its wings slightly raised, conveying a sense of both protection and vigilance.
Location and Significance: The sculpture is located in The Strand park, Newbridge, which is part of the Liffey Linear Park. The swan is a fitting symbol for this location, as the River Liffey is home to a variety of birdlife, including swans. The artwork adds a touch of beauty and meaning to the park, inviting visitors to appreciate the natural world and the importance of conservation.