It is a secret world visible only under a microscope. To imagine their size or quantity is unfathomable. They range in size from 20 to 250 nanometers – and a nanometer is a millionth of a millimetre! They are produced in such quantities that it defies imagination. A single birch tree might produce as much as 5 billion pollen grains in just one season. In addition, pollens are composed of such an incredibly resilient substance that they are resistant to rotting and can survive tens of thousands of years. In appearance they might easily be mistaken for something from another planet. Indeed pollen grains, which are usually spherical in form, have surfaces that often consist of very elaborate, three-dimensional patterns.

It is hard to imagine that all around us these tiny little sculptures exist in vast numbers, simply waiting to be carried by the wind or an insect to their final destination. Of course the majority of pollen grains produced by a plant will never reach that destination.

And so for this years exhibition I have focused my attention on the pollen grains that do not find their way home but instead might land on the pond in our own Botanic Gardens and rest there for a while. The pieces which were constructed in my own paper clay, seem to float on the surface of the water but of course they are supported underneath with metal spikes embedded into the pond floor.

In this piece I hope to give the viewer a glimpse into a world not normally seen by the naked eye and in so doing make this secret world known only to a few - accessible to all.

Sculpture in Context at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is one of Ireland's major annual sculpture exhibitions. In 2006 more than ninety artists from throughout Ireland and abroad were represented at the show. As artists we were asked to create site-specific works that respond to the wonderful environment of the gardens. There were some 128 pieces on show throughout the gardens, hothouses and indoor gallery.

In 2008 Pollen Hotspot was exhibited at Outside: Insight - Sculpture in the Gardens 2008 at Brigit's Garden, Roscahill, Co. Galway and at The Claremorris Open 2008. The piece won the Public Award for the sculpture most popular with visitors at Outside: Insight 2008.

In 2009 the piece was featured in the National Craft Gallery Garden at Bloom in the Phoenix Park, Dublin and was also exhibited in Castle Yard, Kilkenny Castle for the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August-October.

Installing the Pollen Grains:




Finished Installation shots:

Once again I could not have completed this project without help. Thanks firstly to Simon O'Dwyer for all the technical know how, once again ceramics float! Thanks also to Susan Conneff and Cathy Phillis - two great friends and supporters over the years. My family have to help me but these guys go beyond the call of duty! To my brothers John and Tom and brother in law Alex, thanks for getting wet and for all the help. Thanks also to Annette Dowdall for the extra transport and on going support. To the four students who were on placement with me this year, Joanna from the USA, Tiina and Saija from Finland and Liam from Donegal, thanks so much for your hard work and input, it was greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Patty Barnett who came all the way from California to lend a hand. Finally thanks to the Sculpture in Context committee and to the Botanics staff especially Peter.


Sculpture in Context 2006 at The National Botanic Gardens.	National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, Kilkenny 2009 (Photo by Dylan Vaughan The Irish Times 10 August 2009.)	Sculpture in the Gardens 2008
	€4,500 Dimensions - 150cm L x 150cm D x 35cm H.