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Lord Mayor Gilliland unveiled new ‘Smithfield Utah’ teapot sculpture in Dublin
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland has formally unveiled the second of six new sculptures as part of Dublin City Council’s ‘Sculpture Dublin’ initiative.
“Smithfield Utah” sculpture by Alan Butler has the form of a giant, bronze teapot based on the shape of the Utah Teapot, an iconic, ‘virtual’ teapot form, designed by mathematician Martin Newell in Utah in 1975.
The sculpture brings together traditional and contemporary references to celebrate the diversity of modern Smithfield and the rapid growth the area has experienced the last few years, reports Dublin People.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland stated: “It brings me great pride to unveil this second public artwork in the Sculpture Dublin series that is bringing great creativity and interest to those locations where these works are on display. Smithfield Utah is an amazing example of the power of sculpture to speak to both a historic and contemporary way of Dublin life. I want to congratulate the artist, Alan Butler, who has created this sculpture. It captures the warmth, hospitality, and sense of community that exists in Smithfield and many other parts of Dublin city. But it does so in a manner that is both accessible and curious for those who view it. I hope that the local community and all those who come to Smithfield will pause, engage with and enjoy the sculpture and that it becomes a talking point for those that do. These sculptures are playing an important role in city life and I look forward to further unveilings as the series progresses.”
Smithfield Utah teapot is a symbol of Irish warmth and connection between those who live, work, enjoy, and pass-through Smithfield.
Artist Alan Butler said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been included in the Sculpture Dublin programme and to create this sculpture for the city. The task of conceiving a public artwork is always intimidating as it invites scrutiny from such a wide audience. My aim was to identify a form that can operate on as many scales as possible and create something widely engaging, while not resorting to clichéd public sculptural forms. I was specifically drawn to the Utah Teapot form due to its universality. It is intended to be enjoyed at any level that any audience member wishes to access it.”
Photo credit: Dublin People
