merrion street

Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today officially opened the ‘Sculpture in Context 2013’ exhibition in the National Botanic Gardens. This is the twelfth year that the Gardens will host this exhibition; the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition held in Ireland.

The Minister said, “I am pleased to be here today to welcome the ‘Sculpture in Context’ exhibition back to the National Botanic Gardens. In the years that we have hosted this wonderful exhibition, over 1500 pieces have been created and displayed throughout the gardens, the restored glasshouses, the pond and the gallery space. This year the exhibition features the work of 150 leading Irish and international artists, including Evelina Woitowicz, Leo Higgins, Barra Cassidy, Cliodna Cussen and Bob Quinn and many others.

I’m particularly pleased that the exhibition is also an opportunity for art students at 1st, 2nd and 3rd level to view exciting new artworks and I’m told that many leaving certificate students use the exhibition as a theme for their final exams. The OPW have a very successful working partnership with the Sculpture in Context committee, whose hard work I applaud and I’m confident that this collaboration will continue into the future.”

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