I LIKE THIS SCULPTURE SINCE I FIRST SAW IT IN 2001
The Mothership by Rachel Joynt, located in Newtownsmith between Dun Laoghaire and Glasthule, is a captivating sculpture I first encountered and photographed in 2001. While often referred to online as the "Sea Urchin Sculpture," a plaque at the site correctly identifies it as "Mothership by Rachel Joynt 1999."
Commissioned in 1998 through an open competition as part of the Dun Laoghaire Drainage Scheme's Art Programme, the sculpture has become an iconic local landmark. Its scale and intriguing form invite interaction, with visitors often climbing into the heart of its shell-like structure.
Crafted from cast bronze and stainless steel, "The Mothership" depicts a sea urchin seemingly caught in mid-motion, its trajectory marked by a trail of metallic silver droplets. This dynamic portrayal suggests the sea urchin has been propelled onto the shore by a powerful wave, its momentum captured in the sculpture's angled position and the scattered steel discs marking its path.
The artwork serves as a symbol of the cleaner waters achieved through the Dun Laoghaire Drainage Scheme. Interestingly, the sculpture's diameter mirrors that of the pipes used in the scheme's construction, subtly connecting the artwork to the infrastructure project it celebrates.
The sculpture's positioning allows viewers to gaze through its open form towards the sea, creating a unique visual connection between the artwork, the surrounding landscape, and the vast expanse of the ocean.
During my recent visit on 23 July 2024, I also photographed a nearby sculpture, "Celebration," created by Rachel's father, Dick Joynt, adding another layer of artistic significance to this coastal area.
Commissioned in 1998 through an open competition as part of the Dun Laoghaire Drainage Scheme's Art Programme, the sculpture has become an iconic local landmark. Its scale and intriguing form invite interaction, with visitors often climbing into the heart of its shell-like structure.
Crafted from cast bronze and stainless steel, "The Mothership" depicts a sea urchin seemingly caught in mid-motion, its trajectory marked by a trail of metallic silver droplets. This dynamic portrayal suggests the sea urchin has been propelled onto the shore by a powerful wave, its momentum captured in the sculpture's angled position and the scattered steel discs marking its path.
The artwork serves as a symbol of the cleaner waters achieved through the Dun Laoghaire Drainage Scheme. Interestingly, the sculpture's diameter mirrors that of the pipes used in the scheme's construction, subtly connecting the artwork to the infrastructure project it celebrates.
The sculpture's positioning allows viewers to gaze through its open form towards the sea, creating a unique visual connection between the artwork, the surrounding landscape, and the vast expanse of the ocean.
During my recent visit on 23 July 2024, I also photographed a nearby sculpture, "Celebration," created by Rachel's father, Dick Joynt, adding another layer of artistic significance to this coastal area.
I LIKE THIS SCULPTURE SINCE I FIRST SAW IT IN 2001