October 2024 Archives - SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2023 AND LATER

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER 2024

Within the grounds of the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge (formerly the Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland and later, Thomas Prior House under the ownership of the Royal Dublin Society), stands a striking stone sculpture of a stallion. This imposing artwork likely dates from the period when the site was owned by the RDS, perhaps commissioned as a nod to the iconic Dublin Horse Show held annually in the adjacent showgrounds.

The Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge, is a sophisticated four-star hotel with a rich history. In the 1880s, the building served a very different purpose, housing the Masonic Girls’ School. Designed in the Queen Anne style by the renowned architectural firm of John McCurdy and William Mansfield Mitchell, the school was officially opened in 1881.

McCurdy and Mitchell were responsible for a number of significant buildings in Dublin and beyond, including:

The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
Several buildings in Trinity College Dublin, such as the Anatomical Museum, the School of Physiology, and the Chemistry Building
Parts of Saint Columba’s College, Rathfarnham
Lowther Lodge, north of Ballsbridge
The Masonic Girls’ School, built at a cost of almost £15,000, occupied a spacious 10-acre site. The building featured a distinctive corner tower which housed the water supply mechanism, and incorporated schoolrooms, a library, dormitories, recreation areas, and dining halls arranged around a quadrangle.

The adjacent drill hall, now known as Thomas Prior Hall, was used for assemblies, prayers, and meetings. This impressive hall retains many of its original features, including the ornate oak-panelled walls, stained glass windows, mosaic tiling, choir balcony, and vaulted wooden ceiling.

The school closed its doors in 1970. The Royal Dublin Society subsequently purchased the building, renaming it Thomas Prior House in honour of one of their founding members. In the 1980s, the property was sold and redeveloped as a hotel.

In 2015, the hotel became part of the Dalata Hotel Group and was rebranded as the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, undergoing an upgrade from a three-star to a four-star establishment. Thomas Prior Hall was also renovated in 2016, sensitively modernised while preserving its historic character.

WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE

Pinterest blocked my photographs of this sculpture as not being suitable.

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

A Monumental Presence at the National Botanic Gardens

Located within the serene 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, recently 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].

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.

October 2024

STALLION SCULPTURE AT THE CLAYTON HOTEL IN BALLSBRIDGE

SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM 4 OCTOBER 2024