'Instinct’: a new permanent public art work for Ballina Riverside Walkway
Date uploaded: April 15, 2013
A new artwork by artist Rachel Joynt which is located at the riverside walkway, Ballina, will be officially launched on April 20th 2013.
Joynt’s concept for the sculpture suggests an enlarged egg and resembles a fishing float, referring to the town’s status of Salmon Capital of Ireland. The sculpture is approximately two metres long and over a metre wide. It has been cast in bronze with an off white patination, with polished bronze highlights.
Entitled Instinct, the artwork was commissioned by Mayo County Council’s arts office as part of the ongoing public art commissioning programme, funded via the Government’s Percent for Art scheme and also Ballina Town Council. The Percent for Art scheme brings in additional funding for an area and is linked to local building initiatives, in this case the improvements to the water supply scheme.
The sculpture’s surface is richly textured, giving an overall impression of a geographical map of the globe. It shows the migratory routes of the Atlantic salmon that return every year to the River Moy to spawn. The equator line is suggested by the small seam of a typical float. The ocean currents, migratory paths, weather patterns, and general topography are illustrated with hundreds of tiny fishing flies, hooks, nylon lines, small weights and floats, which are highlighted on the surface through the polished bronze. Local fishing experts and tackle shops have assisted Joynt, giving her advice on the various fishing techniques, tackle and fly tying that is specifically used for salmon fishing.
There is a special viewing place in the sculpture. Instinct was commissioned by Mayo County Council and funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the Percent for Art Scheme.
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Official launch of‘Instinct’ A new permanent public art work for Ballina Riverside Walkway By Rachel Joynt
Mayo County Council has the pleasure of inviting you to the official launch of ‘Instinct’, a new permanent public art work for Ballina Riverside Walkway by Rachel Joynt.
Official launch by Cllr. Willie Nolan, Mayor of Ballina
Saturday 20th April 2013 at 2pm
Meet at the sculpture on the riverside walkway, Barrett Street, near car park and play ground. Reception after and exhibition at Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett Street, Ballina, Co Mayo
All Welcome, refreshments provided.
For further information please contact Gaynor Seville, Public Art Co-ordinator, [email protected] 094 904 7561
