Cultural organisations, galleries, artists and communities all around the world are celebrating sculpture this week, with the launch of International Sculpture Day (#ISDay) 2024. The aim of the global event is to explore the impact of sculpture and to deepen our understanding of its immense contribution to society. This week, PublicArt.ie is shining a spotlight on the incredible public sculpture that exists in parks, town squares, urban spaces, hospitals, schools around the country. Each piece makes its own unique contribution to our national identity and reflects Ireland’s artistic legacy in a distinctive way.
From the most delicate sculptural pieces to monumental works carved from stone, the creativity, technical skills and ingenuity of sculptors working in Ireland is undeniable. ISDay 2024 is a chance to look with new eyes at some of Ireland’s well-known iconic sculptures — like Perpetual Motion, the textured globe poised near the Naas exit of the M7 motorway, or the work of Imogen Stuart RHA, one of Ireland’s foremost female sculptors. It’s also an opportunity to engage with some lesser-known work by emerging artists or those working in more unusual mediums.
Throughout the year, PublicArt.ie is dedicated to the celebration and promotion of public art and sculpture in Ireland. We provide comprehensive resource for artists, commissioners and researchers, as well as anyone interested in commissioning artwork through the Government’s Per Cent for Art Scheme. Our goal is to showcase the creators and projects that contribute to Ireland’s discourse on art that is made for people and places.
For more on International Sculpture Day 2024, visit the PublicArt.ie Instagram page.