Subaquatic Dublin
Artist Name(s) | Paul Gregg |
Artwork title | Subaquatic Dublin |
Description | Commissioned jointly by Our Lady's hospital for sick children and the Ark Cultural Centre for Children, Subaquatic Dublin presents an underwater version of Dublin thriving with fish citizens. The aquarium holds seven tons of water. Replicas of landmark Irish buildings along with tower cranes and other urban furnishings are fabricated in marine grade stainless steel. A small domestic house sits proudly amongst the larger architecture. Underwater cameras send live images from the tank through the existing piped television system, reaching children confined to their beds. The concept intrigues people of all ages, ideal for a hospital setting where long anxious waiting periods are inevitable. Speaking about the work the artist said: "When asked to create artwork for a children's hospital, I gave myself the challenge of making something that a broad audience associated with the space could appreciate. People of all ages spend hours in children's hospitals yet often the art is only geared to address the very young. Once I discovered the format of stainless steel architectural structures in an aquarium I realised I had a formula that would achieve my objective. Adults are given a more sophisticated invitation to contemplate my version of Dublin, while children respond positively to the fantasy of an underwater city populated by fish." |
Biographies | Based in Dublin since 1995, Paul Gregg has exhibited in Europe and the United States. In recent years the primary focus of his practice has been the creation of large scale commissioned projects. Gregg earned a Bachelors of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from University of California, Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.) and a Masters of Fine Arts from the Rinehart School of Sculpture, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore Maryland U.S.A. He has received awards for his academic and artistic work including membership into Phi Beta Kappa honour society, a Fulbright scholarship, The Amilie Rothschild Award, The Fire Station Artist Studios residency, and Irish Arts Council awards including major artists' bursaries in 2003 and 2005. |
Commission Type | Private Commission |
Commissioner Name | The Ark cultural centre for children and Our Lady's hospital for sick children, Crumlin |
Commissioning process | Invited |
Partners | The Ark Cultural Centre for Children |
Artform | Visual Arts |
Art Practice | Arts and health |
Funded By | Private |
Budget Range | 35000 - 70000 euro |
Location | Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
County | Dublin |
Town | Crumlin |
Google Map Insert | View this projects location |
Website | paulgreggstudio.com/ |
Content contributor(s) | Paul Gregg |
Relationship to project | Artist |