JOHN BEHAN AND HIS ART
EQUALITY EMERGING BY JOHN BEHAN [NEAR THE CATHEDRAL IN GALWAY]
Standing as a poignant sentinel near the University Road and Gaol Road junction, the sculpture "Equality Emerging" (often referred to locally as "The People") is one of Galway City’s most striking pieces of public art. Positioned directly opposite the imposing limestone façade of Galway Cathedral, the piece offers a powerful juxtaposition between traditional religious authority and the modern human struggle for social justice.
The Art and Symbolism
Created by the renowned Irish sculptor John Behan, the sculpture was unveiled in November 2001.
The artwork depicts a human figure—abstract and straining—literally breaking through a solid, oppressive wall. The symbolism is direct yet deeply emotive:
The Figure: Represents the collective force of people striving for equality.
The Wall: Symbolises the systemic barriers, prejudices, and institutions that historically hold people back.
At the base, an inscription provides the sculpture’s "soul," dedicating the work to those struggling for equality and those suffering because of its absence. It serves as a reminder that equality is not a static state but a constant process of "emerging."
The Artist: John Behan
John Behan (born 1938) is one of Ireland’s most celebrated living sculptors. A native of Dublin, Behan is a member of Aosdána and is famous for his mastery of metalwork. His style often leans into the "rough-hewn" aesthetic, where the marks of the creation process remain visible, giving his work a sense of ancient, earthy energy. He is perhaps best known internationally for the National Famine Monument in County Mayo and the Arrival sculpture at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Material and Construction
While many assume public statues are made of simple iron, "Equality Emerging" is crafted from bronze. Behan is a master of the "lost-wax" casting process. The bronze has weathered over the last two decades to develop a dark, textured patina that suits the moody Atlantic climate of Galway, making the "wall" look particularly impenetrable and the "emerging" figure look all the more resilient.
Sponsorship and Origins
The sculpture was inspired by an idea from Eddie Higgins and Nuala Keher, the founders of Equal Ireland.
Equal Ireland is a charitable trust and social enterprise based in Galway that focuses on providing "second chance" education and training to people who may have been marginalised or missed out on earlier opportunities. The project was sponsored as a permanent tribute to the organisation's mission: to empower people through knowledge and to break down the walls of educational and social inequality.
Standing as a poignant sentinel near the University Road and Gaol Road junction, the sculpture "Equality Emerging" (often referred to locally as "The People") is one of Galway City’s most striking pieces of public art. Positioned directly opposite the imposing limestone façade of Galway Cathedral, the piece offers a powerful juxtaposition between traditional religious authority and the modern human struggle for social justice.
The Art and Symbolism
Created by the renowned Irish sculptor John Behan, the sculpture was unveiled in November 2001.
The artwork depicts a human figure—abstract and straining—literally breaking through a solid, oppressive wall. The symbolism is direct yet deeply emotive:
The Figure: Represents the collective force of people striving for equality.
The Wall: Symbolises the systemic barriers, prejudices, and institutions that historically hold people back.
At the base, an inscription provides the sculpture’s "soul," dedicating the work to those struggling for equality and those suffering because of its absence. It serves as a reminder that equality is not a static state but a constant process of "emerging."
The Artist: John Behan
John Behan (born 1938) is one of Ireland’s most celebrated living sculptors. A native of Dublin, Behan is a member of Aosdána and is famous for his mastery of metalwork. His style often leans into the "rough-hewn" aesthetic, where the marks of the creation process remain visible, giving his work a sense of ancient, earthy energy. He is perhaps best known internationally for the National Famine Monument in County Mayo and the Arrival sculpture at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Material and Construction
While many assume public statues are made of simple iron, "Equality Emerging" is crafted from bronze. Behan is a master of the "lost-wax" casting process. The bronze has weathered over the last two decades to develop a dark, textured patina that suits the moody Atlantic climate of Galway, making the "wall" look particularly impenetrable and the "emerging" figure look all the more resilient.
Sponsorship and Origins
The sculpture was inspired by an idea from Eddie Higgins and Nuala Keher, the founders of Equal Ireland.
Equal Ireland is a charitable trust and social enterprise based in Galway that focuses on providing "second chance" education and training to people who may have been marginalised or missed out on earlier opportunities. The project was sponsored as a permanent tribute to the organisation's mission: to empower people through knowledge and to break down the walls of educational and social inequality.