Mr. Simon Harris, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), today (3 September 2014) was in the National Botanic Gardens to unveil Ireland's largest outdoor sculpture exhibition "Sculpture in Context".

The exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to view Ireland's well-established and most promising future artists including Merce Canadell, John Kelly and Laura O'Hagan. The sculptures are on display throughout the Gardens, the restored Victorian glasshouses, the pond and gallery space.

The Minister said, “It is my great pleasure to be here today in this wonderful botanical haven.  The Gardens, managed by my office, the OPW, provide a magnificent backdrop to this exhibition of over 150 striking pieces, which will run from Thursday 4 September to Friday 17 October. I understand that the highest number of artists submitted proposals for this year, a testament to the popularity and the prestige of the exhibition which we all will enjoy here today".

The aim of the exhibition is to provide a unique opportunity for exhibiting works in venues outside of the normal gallery context and the artwork is produced using a wide range of materials including bronze, ceramic, glass, copper, steel and stone.

The Minister concluded "This is a wonderful opportunity to view Ireland's well established artists along with our most promising future artists and to gain an insight into our country's most exciting and contemporary art. The National Botanic Gardens has a long association with this exhibition and I am delighted to note the addition of a major new award – The New Ireland Assurance Sculpture Award. I therefore urge the public to visit this exciting and open exhibition here in the National Botanic Gardens".

Further information on the exhibition is available at http://www.sculptureincontext.com 

Photography available after the event from: www.maxwellphotography.ie

Ends

For further information and if you wish to interview Minister of State Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 046 942 6128 or 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie 

Note to Editors:

About The National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens were established in 1795 under the auspices of the Dublin Society, later the Royal Dublin Society, at the behest of the Irish Parliament to 'promote a scientific knowledge in the various branches of agriculture'. In 1992 the Gardens transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Office of Public Works. An architectural Masterplan by OPW led to a National Botanic Gardens Management Plan in October 1992. The implementation of the plans led to a rejuvenated National Botanic Garden. To date, over 15 different projects have been carried out by the same OPW architectural team. The most notable projects include the Restoration of the Turner Curvilinear Range (awarded RIAI Restoration medal), the Great Palm House (both of which won the EU Prize for Conservation – Europa Nostra Award) the original 1732 Estate House and new building such as the Library/Herbarium and the Visitors Centre.

Open every day except Christmas Day.

Opening Hours:

Summer (March to October) Monday - Friday 09.00-17.00, Saturday & Sunday 10.00-16.30.

Winter (November to February) Monday - Friday 09.00-16.30, Saturday & Sunday 10.00-16.30

Admission Free. Car parking charge €2.