Sculpture

INVISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2017 – THIS MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 2024

August 9, 2025 by infomatique

PRESENTED BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

Usually when I photographed this it is/was in poor condition and while it was in reasonable condition there was a lot of debris in the water. In July 2018 it was dry and may have been undergoing maintenance. According to some accounts it has been replaced in 2023 or 2024 – I will confirm if this is true when I visit in August 2025.

In 1999, the artist Tina O’Connell was commissioned to create a new fountain on the same site as a former Victorian-style tiered fountain that had fallen into disrepair. As such, Tina’s contemporary sculpture is also a fully functioning fountain. Following an extended period of research and development into materials, ‘In-Visible’ was finally sited and fully installed in 2002.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is/was a contemporary sculpture that incorporates a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world-famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows. It is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work is locally known as the ‘Orb Fountain’.

INVISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHED 2018 – A WATER FEATURE WITHOUT WATER

August 8, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED 8 AUGUST 2025

This was the first time I saw the underlying structure of the sculpture and I was surprised, as I had previously believed the sphere moved or floated. Furthermore, there was no sign of the “circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble” mentioned in official descriptions.

I have noticed a recurring issue throughout the island of Ireland: water features are rarely properly maintained and eventually cease to be operational.

Sadly, when I photographed this piece a year later, it was in a very poor condition, with hardly any water and a considerable amount of litter and branches in the pool area. To be fair, however, in 2017 more recently it was in excellent condition, and the water in the ball was clear.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is a contemporary sculpture that incorporates a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world-famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows. It is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work is locally known as the ‘Orb Fountain’.

The issue of water features being more often dry than not in Ireland is a complex one, likely stemming from a combination of factors. A primary reason is often a lack of funding for consistent maintenance. Public art and civic amenities often fall victim to budget cuts, and the upkeep of water pumps, plumbing, and filtration systems requires regular financial outlay and dedicated personnel. Furthermore, issues such as vandalism, blockages from litter and natural debris (as noted in my own experience), and technical faults can quickly render a feature inoperable. Without a swift and consistent maintenance schedule, these problems accumulate, and the water feature is left to deteriorate.

Given the pressing concerns of global warming, one might argue that it makes more sense than ever to have these water features operational, especially in a country like Ireland where water is generally readily available. The sight and sound of running water can have a cooling and calming effect on urban environments, offering a psychological respite from rising temperatures. They can also serve as a source of habitat for urban wildlife and contribute to a sense of place and civic pride. While the operational costs and potential for water wastage are valid considerations, modern fountains often use closed-loop systems that recycle the water, minimising consumption. Therefore, a commitment to proper maintenance and an acknowledgement of the environmental and social benefits would seem a sensible approach to ensure that these public artworks continue to serve their intended purpose.

MURAL BY SONNY SUNDANCER AT 8 MARY STREET WATERFORD – PHOTOGRAPHED FROM MY HOTEL AUGUST 2021

August 7, 2025 by infomatique

PUBLISHED 7 AUGUST 2025 BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

Extraordinary was created by the South African artist Sonny Sundancer. I first photographed this in 2019 about a year after it was originally painted.

Sonny Sundancer, also known as Sonny Behan, is a South African urban contemporary artist who is currently based in Los Angeles. Born in the UK, he moved to South Africa with his family when he was eleven years old, and this experience sparked a lifelong fascination with wildlife. Although he had no formal training in art, he began painting in his early twenties and taught himself the necessary techniques.

He is well-known for his large-scale murals, bronze sculptures, and oil paintings, which often blend hyper-realism with abstract splashes of color. His work primarily focuses on wildlife and themes of environmental sustainability and conservation. Through his art, he aims to raise awareness for endangered animals and build a connection between urban environments and the natural world.

Sonny has collaborated with prestigious organisations such as the United Nations, UNICEF, WWF, and Discovery Inc. His projects and murals can be found in numerous locations around the world, including South Africa, Mexico, London, New York, Ireland, and Russia.

In 2017, he launched the “To The Bone” project, a global mural tour that brought awareness to endangered species. The tour culminated in a solo exhibition in New York in 2018, where his paintings depicted animals with their faces breaking away to reveal skeletons underneath, a symbol of their diminishing numbers.

THE PEOPLES PARK IN WATERFORD 26 MAY 2016 – RAW FILES HAVE BEEN REPROCESSED

May 12, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

The People’s Park in Waterford is a significant green space in the city, offering a place for recreation and relaxation. Laid out in the 19th century, this 16.3-acre park boasts various features, including a children’s playground, a cycle track, and a Victorian-era bandstand.

A notable modern addition to the park is a spherical monument which also functions as a water feature. Created by artist Tina O’Connell and installed in 2002, this sculpture, titled ‘In-Visible’, consists of a large, transparent acrylic sphere through which clear water continuously flows. It rests on a circular platform made of black Kilkenny marble. Inspired by Waterford’s renowned glass industry, the ‘Orb Fountain’, as it is locally known, captures reflections of the park on its surface, inverting the surrounding scenery.

Near the Victorian bandstand, two cannons are proudly displayed. These are 24-pound short 1804 cannons manufactured in 1828 at the Aleksandrovsk cannon factory in Russia. Captured by the British Army at the Battle of Sebastopol during the Crimean War in 1854, these cannons were later presented to Waterford city in 1857 as war trophies. The cannons bear markings indicating their origin as naval artillery.

IN-VISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL

March 1, 2023 by infomatique

AN INTERESTING WATER FEATURE IN THE WATERFORD PEOPLES PARK

One thing that I have noticed in Ireland is that water features are never properly maintained and eventually they become non-water features. Unfortunately, when I photographed this a year later it was in very poor condition … hardly any water and lots of litter and branches within the pool area. But to be fair in 2017 it was in excellent condition and the water in the ball was clear.

In 1999, artist Tina O’Connell was commissioned to re-create a fountain on the same site as where there had been a Victorian style tiered fountain which had fallen into disrepair. Thus Tina’s contemporary sculpture is also a fully functioning fountain. After an extended period of research into the materials and of development ‘In-Visible’ was finally sited and fully installed in 2002.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is a contemporary sculpture incorporating a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows, and which is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work has been referred to locally as the ‘Orb Fountain’.