Elephant in the Room
Elephant in the Room
About Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room Movement is a social enterprise which started in Ireland and brings business, art and community together to help change the narrative around mental wellbeing all over the world, using the visual medium of art sculptures to challenge stigma of all kinds, promote a message of hope and kindness, and encourage open conversation about mental health in the workplace and everywhere.
This initiative involves placing a large elephant sculpture, decorated by a professional artist, in a prominent position on DCU campuses and highlights the power of art to inspire change and raise awareness. It is a public declaration of our commitment to supporting our staff and students’ well-being and actively promoting an inclusive and open culture to normalise and de-stigmatise conversations around mental health.
Design DCU’s Elephant in the Room
DCU People wants our ‘Elephant in the Room’ sculpture to be both a symbol and a reminder that mental health challenges are a part of life, and seeking support is a sign of strength. Through this sculpture and the resources it represents, we aim to send a clear message to our community: you are not alone, and support is always here for you.
With that in mind, DCU People is looking for our community to create the design for our Elephant. As part of this, we are seeking design submissions from staff and students of the University, with one design to be selected for our elephant.
Theme: We ask that your design incorporate our theme: ‘What gives me strength in challenging times’. As part of your submission, we ask that you:
- Name the elephant
- Design the elephant - dimensions and further guidelines can be found below.
- Title your design
Dimensions: Each baby elephant sculpture is 4 foot (1.2 metres) tall x 4 foot in length, weights approximately 25 kilos.
You can see a visual of the elephant in the Artist’s Design Pack. (you can pick up hard copies at the following locations: the main reception on Glasnevin campus, main reception at St. Patrick’s campus, the O' Reilly, Cregan, and Woodlock Libraries, or the DCUSU offices.)
Guidelines and Assessment Criteria
- To design your elephant please download and print the Artist’s Design Pack, or you can pick up hard copies at the following locations: the main reception on Glasnevin campus, main reception at St. Patrick’s campus, the O' Reilly, Cregan, and Woodlock Libraries, or the DCUSU offices.
- Your design can be your own interpretation of our theme - we want you to be as creative as possible!
- When submitting your design, please include the following information in your email (if submitting electronically) or as a cover page (when submitting a hard copy):
- Your name and whether you are a staff or student at DCU
- Your contact information (email and phone number)
- A brief description of what inspired you to create your design
- Name/title the elephant
- Submissions must be sent either via email (a scanned copy) to edi@dcu.ie or you can submit a physical hard copy to:
- the main reception on DCU Glasnevin Campus (MacCormac building)
- the reception on St. Patrick’s Campus (F Block).
A panel will review all submissions and select the winning design. The panel will assess using the following criteria:
- Creative Expression (35%)
The project must demonstrate originality and artistic creativity, showcasing innovative approaches to the theme of wellbeing and mental health. - Alignment with Theme (35%)
The project must clearly align with and reflect the theme of wellbeing and mental health in its concept and execution. - Audience Engagement (30%)
The project should actively engage or relate to a broader audience within the DCU community, fostering inclusivity and connection.
Marcella Bannon, DCU Arts & Culture Officer
Responsible for maximising opportunities offered through arts and culture to encourage a thriving, connected community, both on campus and in the locality.
Chair of DCU Visual Arts Committee
Dr Michael Flannery, School of Arts Education & Movement, DCU Institute of Education
Assistant Professor with the School of Arts Education and Movement at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University with expertise in, and responsibilities for Visual Arts Education. Michael received his PhD in Education from the National College of Art and Design following previous postgraduate studies in Community/ Arts/ Education at the same university.
Alishaer Ahmed, VP or Diversity and Inclusion
DCUSU Representative
Deadline for submission:The deadline for submission is 5pm on Friday 21st February 2025. An artist will be commissioned by our partner Cornmarket to decorate the elephant using the chosen design.
When submitting your design, please include the following information in your email or as a cover page when submitting a hard copy:
- Your name and whether you are a staff or student at DCU
- Your contact information (email and phone number)
- A brief description of what inspired you to create your design
The winner will win a €100 One4All gift voucher.
This elephant will be displayed on DCU’s three teaching campuses across the month of March.
Get Inspired
Take a look at some other Elephant in the Room sculptures for inspiration.
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Contact
If you have any questions or would like to get more information, please contact edi@dcu.ie.
Services to Support your Mental Health and Wellbeing
If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. There are a range of supports for you:
Staff members please visit our DCU People Mental Wellbeing page for supports.
Students can visit DCU Care and Connect for a list of supports.
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