WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239391-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239391-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239391-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239390-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239390-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239390-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239389-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239389-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239389-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239388-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239388-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239388-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239387-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239387-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239387-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239386-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239386-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239386-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239385-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239385-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239385-1")
![SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239384-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/HeadlessSculptureInContext2023/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SEPIAN-BLUE-BY-NASSER-AZAM-WAS-ORIGINALLY-LOCATED-NEAR-THE-MAIN-ENTRANCE-239384-1-1600x1066.jpg "SEPIAN BLUE BY NASSER AZAM [WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE]-239384-1")
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.