SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2025 -PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
SUBMISSION CLOSING DATE - Friday April 25th is the final date for receipt of entries. Late submissions will not be accepted. Artists will be notified of results before the end of May.
INSTALLATION
Outdoor, Installation and Gallery Drop off- Friday 29th and Saturday 30th August, details to be confirmed at a later date.
OPENING NIGHT– Wednesday 3rd September
EXHIBITION DATES – 4th September to Friday 10th October
TAKE-DOWN - Gallery collection, Outdoor and Glasshouse work that does NOT need machinery or vehicular access - Saturday 11th October 10.30am - 2pm
Outdoor and Glasshouse work that requires machinery and/or vehicular access - Monday 13th October. Details to be confirmed
All enquiries regarding the exhibition and/or siting must be directed to the Sculpture in Context Committee at info@sculptureincontext.com and NOT to the Botanic Gardens Staff.
Each year selection is made by an independent panel of three judges (all practicing artists) their decision is final. Due to the high number of entries, we are unable to give feedback on submissions.
ENTRY FEE
Proposals must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of €16 for each entry. A maximum of 3 works may be submitted.
1. SUBMISSIONS must be original and of a high standard, both in presentation, construction and in content. Submissions must convey the appearance of the proposed works. Proposals may be durable or time-based artworks, including performance, or video. The work must not have been previously exhibited in Dublin.
2. PROPOSALS may indicate preferred locations (see Venue Site Map) however the selection committee/site coordinator may allocate alternative locations. Smaller and more delicate pieces will be located in the gallery space in the Visitors Centre on the 1st floor. Work will be accepted for display throughout the grounds and the gallery. The proposal must show that the works will be stable and secure, and present no danger to people in their vicinity. If a work is unstable or dangerous after installation, the Committee will remove it.
3. COMMISSION of 25% is payable on all work up to a value of €15,000 OR 20% commission on all work above €15,000. Please ensure that the price you indicate in the entry form includes the relevant commission. This is the figure that will appear in the catalogue. Prices will not be changed once the catalogue goes to print.
4. WORK THAT IS SOLD Artists will be responsible for the delivery of large pieces; these costs can be calculated separately or included in the sale price. Smaller gallery pieces will be collected directly from the gallery.
5. Transport of works to and from the Botanic Gardens is the artist's responsibility. Outdoor installation is undertaken by and is the responsibility of the exhibiting artist and any costs incurred are the responsibility of the artist. Please bring assistance if required and whatever tools and equipment you will need for installation i.e. ladders, drills, spades, fixings etc. Gallery work will be installed by the curator and organising committee.
6. Siting will be under the control of a site coordinator who will liaise with the Botanic Gardens Management. Their decisions in these matters will be final. No installation may take place until the site has been approved by the Sculpture in Context Committee and the method of fixing has been discussed and agreed.
7. Outdoor work may be free-standing or fixed to existing structures in such a way as to avoid any permanent intrusion. Drilling into walls or any other surfaces is not allowed under any circumstances. No work may be nailed to any of the trees in the gardens. Where the work requires a plinth (indoor works only) it will be provided.
8. It is a condition of exhibiting that each artist maintains their sculpture in a presentable condition throughout the exhibition. This includes the repair of any minor damage to the sculpture.
9. All work must be removed after the exhibition and proposals must clearly show how this can be done without causing damage. Sculpture MAY NOT be collected before the end of the exhibition. Work not removed on time may be disposed of.
10. The Artist licences the Committee to photograph works and to use any or all images supplied with their submission for publicity purposes in relation to the exhibition.
11. All exhibiting artists give authorisation to Sculpture in Context Committee members to move their sculpture or remove it from the site for any reason, including but not limited to public safety, damage, or potential damage to the sculpture or for the cohesive curation of the exhibition.
12. Sculpture in Context provides third party public liability cover for all works included in the exhibition but this does not cover other risks. The utmost care will be taken of all works submitted for exhibition, but neither the Botanic Gardens Management, nor the Organising Committee will be responsible for any damage, loss of, or destruction to any works for any reason whatsoever. Any insurance should therefore be affected by the artist against all risks.
