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| Louise Murphy - Arderin |
If you have not ventured to Glassnevin this
autumn to see the gardens in all of their glory, this is the time to do so. Once
again talented glass artists have made themselves known at the Sculpture in Context exhibition at The
National Botanic Gardens in Glassnevin. This year’s exhibition had the highest
amount of entries to date. It was a challenge for the judicators
to choose just 160 of artworks from 384 submissions.
Congratulations to all artists who have participated in Irelands largest and
most prestigious annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. Here is just a glimpse of
works from this year’s show. (All photographs by Karl Jordan).
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| George Walsh - Spirit of the Harvest |
Classically trained stained glass artist George Walsh shows two exquisitely
made pieces Fishermen, (painted and
fused glass) and Spirit of the Harvest, (Painted
Antique Glass) greeting you as you enter the gallery space.
Also in the gallery is some emerging talent from NCAD glass student
Louise Murphy. Arderin, is a sculpted
mountainscape that displays the reflective and optical qualities of shot glass.
Just beginning her final degree year, this is the first time Louise has shown
in this exhibition.
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| Gwyn Grace - Sundew Sparkle |
There are quite a few familiar names in this year’s exhibition: It is
exciting to see the work of recent NCAD graduate Gwyn Grace, this year
returning with Sundew Sparkle (cast bronze,
glass and bog oak).
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| Sinead Brennan - Gone to Pot |
Sinead Brennan, GSoI board member and Waterford the Glass
City project coordinator is showing some beautiful hot sculpted pieces in a
mini installation, Gone to Pot. Both
artists’ works this year are finely displayed in the gallery window directly in
front of Whole world in your Hands, a
piece by Beth Newman Maguire (bronze and Cavan Crystal).
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| Whole world in your Hands, a piece by Beth Newman Maguire |
Another returning exhibitor in the gallery, Dublin artist Eva Kelly
shows her vibrant and colourful wall mounted glassworks ‘Oranges and Lemons’. Last but not least, before we venture outside,
Willie Foley shows Gilded Cage made
from glass and steel.
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| Eva Kelly - Oranges and Lemons |
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| Willie Foley - Gilded Cage |
Out in the gardens don’t forget to stop and smell the Deise Daisies by William Harvey made with glass and bronze.
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| Deise Daisies - William Harvey |
Mags O’Dea is dressing up the trees again (you might remember her award
winning glass piece from 2013 so we thought we'd bend the rules and mention her again).Another recent graduate from the glass
department at NCAD, she is currently studying an MA in sculpture. Mags’ Burlesque (coloured waxes and textiles)
can be also found as you venture through the gardens.
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| Mags O'Dea - Burlesque |
Of course, there are over one hundred more pieces to be found as you explore the exhibition nevertheless I hope we have given you a showcase of this year’s glassy entries.
Be sure to check out Sculpture in Context 2015 at The National Botanical
Gardens, which will run until 16 October 2015. Admission is free and it's a
great visit for all the family to enjoy. Opening times are 9-5 weekdays
and 10-6 weekends and bank holidays. Free tours of the exhibition every
Tuesday 10.30am - 11.30am and every Saturday 3pm - 4pm. Full programme of all the artists and
works is available at the reception. More details and contact info
see their website.
Written by: Louise Murphy
Photographer: Karl Jordan
(Thank You to Jackie Ball for your help!)