Local sculptor features at the Botanic Gardens
LOCAL artist and renowned sculptor Thomas Flynn from Wicklow town has been selected to exhibit in The National Botanic Gardens for this year’s ‘Sculpture in Context’.
Established in 1985, ‘Sculpture in Context’ is one of the most prestigious events of its kind held in Ireland and showcases the best of international, Irish and up and coming talent. Over 120 artists will be taking part and over 140 sculptures will be on display throughout the beautiful gardens, inside the stunning greenhouses and in the gallery above the visitors centre.
The sculpture by Thomas chosen to feature is titled ‘Famine on the Bog’ and can be viewed in the gallery.
Explaining the creative process behind the sculpture, Thomas said: ‘It was made using ancient Irish black bog oak which is roughly 7,000 years old. I hand carved the representations of the male and female struggles during the great Irish famine. This old wood was hand-carved entirely, then treated and preserved and coated in linseed oil. After that it was polished using natural beeswax. The whole piece was then placed on black rock and held together using a steel rod. This allows the sculpture to move when you touch it, as if the object was alive’.
The exhibition runs until Thursday, October 19 at The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. There is no cover charge.