I used to like the phrase ‘art in the public sphere’ to describe what
public art could be. As catchphrases go it’s out of fashion now but still
valid.

By it I understand that it supports practice, meaning: it's whatever
you do as an artist, just placed in a more public context. My favourite
public art connects directly to the differently public world of the gallery
or museum, never dumbing down the work just because it has some different
notion of a greater audience to negotiate.

Alan Phelan is an artist, writer and curator. Visit Alan Phelans website here.

Read his insights and experiences on the public art process.