SCULPTORS CHOSEN
THE WORK of two Wexford artists has been chosen to appear in the annual Sculpture in Context exhibition in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
Taghmon native Imogen Stafford of Camolin and Irene Plazewska who are known for their work as Artists in the Community are among a select group of sculptors taking part in the show which continues in an outdoor setting at the Botanic Gardens until October 21.
Imogen began her career in sculpting after a short spell in art college in 1986 when she was given the chance to study bronze casting at a foundry in New Ross as part of an apprenticeship with Seamus Furlong.
She mastered the lost wax process and produced many pieces of work for exhibitions and private collections. While raising her family she has made work for designers of pubs, nightclubs and other venues.
Nowadays you can view her work at various festivals around Ireland. Her chosen materials are chicken wire and straw, willow bark, ivy and lime mortar. She makes slightly playfyul mythological creatures often surrounded by a colourful garden.
She has two sculptural installations in the Sculpture in Context show: ‘Nymph A-Fishing’ and ‘Another Self ’.
Irene Plazewska has been a practising artist for over 35 years working in paint, ceramic, concret, wood, metal and print having studied at the Chicago Art Institute and the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. She has exhibited in the US, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
As well as two works in the Botanic exhibition entitled ‘Wittgenstein: A Mind on Fire’ and ‘Sleeping Rough’ in ferro cement and earth works, Irene has two pieces in the Sculpture for Galway event running at the Kenny Gallery.
As a community artist, she has spent the past two years working with a women’s group in Coolgreany. She formerly worked in the field of vocational rehabilitation. She has a studio near the village of Kilanerin.
The Sculpture in Context exhibition was founded in 1985 to raise the profile of sculpture and provide a platform for artists outside of the usual gallery space. It has been held in the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin since 2002.