Orla de Brí
Short Biography
Irish Sculptor Orla de Brí has completed 27 site-specific large-scale sculptures in Ireland, America, Portugal and Istanbul Turkey. Her practice spans both public art and Gallery and she has just finished her ninth solo show with The Solomon Fine art Gallery, Dublin.
de Brí works from her purpose-built studio in Ireland, she also has a studio in Spain where she collaborates with a foundry in Madrid.
She works primarily in bronze, steel and fiberglass. de Brí has exhibited internationally in cities such as London, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. Her sculptures also feature in numerous prominent private collections here in Ireland and abroad.
In Ireland her work is featured in many public collections, including University of Limerick, Aer Rianta, U.S Embassy; Dublin Castle, Bank of Ireland, RTE and The Office of Public Works.
In the last few years de Brí was commissioned to create a 7-meter sculpture for the international Sabanci Collection in Istanbul and an 8.5-Meter site-specific work for The University of Limerick.
One of her most notable pieces is on the roof of 14th Century Bevelly Castle, consisting of a 3-meter human figure and a 5-meter 24ct gold leaf tree. This is situated at the entrance to the Great Island, Cobh, Co Cork.
This year she completed two site-specific large-scale sculptures for Upstate New York and has just installed a site-specific sculpture in Portugal.
“ At the core of my work is an exploration of how we connect with our surroundings and relate to others”
Artist Statement
My work is predominately figurative featuring highly stylized forms that often merge with or evolve into elements of the natural world. I am very much interested in human behaviour, how we grow, adapt and reflect on ourselves over time.
Central to my work is an exploration of how we relate to others and how we connect with our surroundings.
The process of making a sculpture is something I find both challenging and grounding.
It often begins with an intuitive thought or feeling, this is something which I develop through a drawing before moving into the physical act of construction.
I am particularly interested in working with contrasting materials, especially those that at first seem incompatible. Through experimentation, a new language of form and expression can emerges within each piece.
During this process you lose time and feel very much part of the work, almost like a meditation.
