Bronze sculpture

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.

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.

ORPEN SCULPTURE AT THE TALBOT HOTEL IN STILLORGAN

August 23, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 20 AUGUST 2024

Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood Unveils Orpen Sculpture at Historic Talbot Hotel Stillorgan

Stillorgan, Dublin – [September 27 2018] – The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a historic landmark steeped in South Dublin’s heritage, recently hosted a weekend of commemorative events honouring the renowned artist Sir William Orpen, who was born in Stillorgan in 1878.

The celebrations culminated on Saturday, 15th September, with the unveiling of a specially-commissioned bronze sculpture of Orpen by Rolling Stones guitarist and artist, Ronnie Wood. The striking 11-foot-tall piece, created by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie, now stands proudly outside the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a fitting tribute to the artist in his birthplace.

Wood, an admirer of Orpen’s work, expressed his delight at bringing the sculpture to the town, marking the successful culmination of years of planning and fundraising by the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce.

Following the unveiling, a concert featuring renowned musicians such as Paul Harrington, Paddy Cole, and Fiachra Trench, Orpen’s grand-nephew, took place at the hotel.

The second day of the celebrations saw an art exhibition showcasing Orpen’s work, and a presentation on the artist’s life and times by Dominic Lee, Project Manager of the William Orpen Weekend.

Lee remarked on the significance of the weekend, stating, “The realisation of this project is a testament to the dedication of the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce, Rowan Gillespie, the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan team, and the generous donors. It has been a labour of love to honour one of our most beloved artists.”

About the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan

The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan occupies a site rich in history. It is believed that the original Mount Merrion House, built in the early 1800s, once graced these grounds. The house was later divided, and in 1961, the South County Hotel opened on the site. Following a rebranding in 1986 and subsequent expansions, the hotel stands today as the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a testament to the area’s evolving landscape while honouring its past.

About the Artist: Rowan Gillespie

Rowan Gillespie, an internationally renowned Irish sculptor, is celebrated for his mastery of bronze casting and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his art.
Born in Dublin in 1953, Gillespie spent his formative years in Cyprus before returning to Ireland to pursue his passion for sculpture.

Working alone in his purpose-built foundry in Blackrock, Gillespie personally oversees every aspect of the creative process, from conception to installation. This dedication to hands-on craftsmanship is evident in the intricate detail and emotional depth of his sculptures.

Gillespie’s work encompasses a wide range of subjects, often drawing inspiration from Irish history, literature, and mythology. His notable public commissions include the poignant “Famine” memorial on Dublin’s Custom House Quay, the iconic statue of James Joyce on North Earl Street, and the evocative “Proclamation” sculpture commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising.

The recently unveiled sculpture of Sir William Orpen is a testament to Gillespie’s ability to capture the essence of his subjects. The 11-foot-tall bronze piece, featuring a bust inspired by one of Orpen’s self-portraits, stands as a powerful tribute to the artist and his legacy.

Gillespie’s work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of the power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and connect us to our shared human experience.

THE INTRIGUING STORY BEHIND BARRY FLANAGAN’S THE DRUMMER

March 24, 2024 by infomatique

ON VIEW AT THE IMMA IN DUBLIN

Barry Flanagan’s “The Drummer,” a lively 15ft-tall bronze hare sculpture, has always intrigued me. This piece, which graces the entrance of Dublin’s Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), recently surprised me with its lack of uniqueness. There are multiple copies, including one at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in the USA. This discovery, coupled with a lingering rumour about the IMMA sculpture’s origins, piqued my curiosity.

‘The Drummer,’ one of IMMA’s more recent acquisitions, was donated by Flanagan in 2001. However, it seems this whimsical sculpture might have been destined for a different setting. According to sources, a sculpture intended for Áras an Uachtaráin, the Irish presidential residence, was reportedly rejected by then-president Mary McAleese because the artist was not Irish. This motivated me to investigate the story behind ‘The Drummer’ further.

I discovered that a copy of ‘The Drummer’ resides at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in the USA. Created in 1996 and donated by the artist in 2001, it is described as an abstract sculpture depicting a rabbit [rather than a hare] on its hind legs, a drum and stick held in its hands. This sculpture is the second in an edition of seven, which was quite surprising.
Flanagan’s hare statue, Large Left-Handed Drummer, was also on display in Union Square, Manhattan from 18 February to 24 June 2007.

‘The Drummer’ characterises Barry Flanagan’s series of hare sculptures which have formed a large part of his work from the early 1980s to the present day. Flanagan’s hares are spectacular in size and convey an extraordinary spontaneity and naturalness. There is nothing repetitive in his use of a single theme; each hare is extremely individualistic and dynamic. Many portray human attributes – dancing, playing instruments, engaging in sports and even using technical equipment. In addition to his emblematic hare sculptures, Flanagan’s work also includes ceramic pieces, abstract sculptures, drawings in ink and pencil, water-colours and collages on paper in a wide range of subject matter including life studies, animals and abstract shapes.

In 2013, I read in the Sunday Times: “A sculpture greeting visitors to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma) for more than a decade was originally destined for Aras an Uachtarain but was turned down by Mary McAleese because the artist was not Irish, according to a new book.”

Having always doubted the story and now knowing that there are seven copies (or versions) of the sculpture, I decided to fact check and have included the results below:

There seems to be some truth to this claim, although the reasoning behind the decision remains somewhat open to interpretation.

The claim about ‘The Drummer’ and Mary McAleese’s decision is reported in several sources, including the Sunday Times article noted in online discussions about the sculpture and a book cited in the sources of the sculpture’s Wikipedia page.

There doesn’t seem to be any official statement from Mary McAleese or the Áras an Uachtaráin directly confirming or denying the claim. This lack of comment might be standard practice for such situations.

Potential Motivations: If the claim is true, it’s difficult to identify McAleese’s exact reasoning. Here are some possibilities:

Nationalism: A desire to support Irish artists and showcase Irish talent.
Symbolism: Perhaps the image of the drumming hare, while whimsical, was not seen as fitting the symbolic or stately role of the artwork outside a Presidential residence.
Other Factors: There may be entirely unknown personal or administrative reasons influencing the decision.

Important Note: Without a direct statement from those involved, we can’t know the absolute certainty or full motive behind the reported rejection of the sculpture.

Conclusion: It seems plausible that the claim has some basis in truth. However, the exact reasoning behind the decision, if it did happen, remains a bit of speculation.

While there are indeed several copies (or versions) of ‘The Drummer’ by Barry Flanagan, it seems the total number might be less than seven. Here’s what I could find:

Confirmed Locations:

Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Dublin, Ireland: This is the original ‘Drummer’, donated by the artist in 2001. (https://imma.ie/collection/the-drummer/)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C., USA: Another prominent and publicly owned example of the sculpture.
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK: Part of the Chatsworth House Trust Public Collection. (https://www.barryflanagan.com/artworks/drummer/)

Possible Locations:

The artist’s website mentions an edition of 5 (+2 artist’s copies). This suggests there might be two more privately owned copies of ‘The Drummer’. (https://www.barryflanagan.com/artworks/drummer/)

Update 24 March 2024

Additional Information: The Beverly Hills City Council Collection and a private collector in Nantes, France, have also acquired versions of ‘The Drummer’.