A new sculpture by artist Remco De Fouw was officially launched on April 6 by Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Mellet. The striking art work is in St Gerald’s Court, opposite the church in Ballyhaunis. Many local people turned out on the cold afternoon to meet the artist and attend the unveiling. The artwork, titled Points of View, was commissioned by Mayo County Council’s arts office as part of the ongoing public art commission programme, funded via the Government’s Per Cent for Art scheme.
The artwork consists of large stone sculptures, carefully carved and decorated with abstract patterns. The largest of the stones has a large polished reflective surface that reflects the surrounding area, depending on your point of view. It is interactive and bends and twists the reflected surroundings. Passers by who choose to have a closer look will find their reflection the right way around again. The artist explained that the geometric patterns are a playful reference to astronomy and various marks on stones associated with pre-Christian ancient Ireland. Two of the stones are rotatable, the artist wanted this to reference the timeless human preoccupation with things revolving, or cyclical such as the planets or the seasons. The sculpture has already gone down well with local people, especially with local children who enjoy the interactive aspect of the sculpture. Many spoke with the artist during his visits to Co Mayo during the design and installation of the art work.
