Marking 150th Irish Derby Celebration.
Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the latest public art commission for the county. The artwork was created by prolific visual artist Paul Finch.
Paul developed the piece in consultation with Simon Wallace and Lucina Russell, Kildare County Council, Rina Whyte - Independent Public Art Coordinator, Evan Arkwright and Trish Byrne, The Curragh Racecourse. A budget of €40,000 was provided by Kildare County Council for this commission.
According to the artist 'The overall artwork consists of three pieces each made of tubular steel and representing the four stages of The Gallop. They will be arranged on the Curragh Racecourse Roundabout in a formation that also represents the St. Brigid's Cross. As the passerby moves around the roundabout, the artwork will also create a sense of the movement of horses running.'
While also reflecting the rich history of the county, the style and concept for this artwork is in stark contrast to 'Fionn and the Hounds', by Lynn Kirkham, which is in close proximity and is a popular piece in Kildare's vast public art inventory.
Paul Finch is an accomplished artist living in Tipperary who has also worked on other commissions in Kildare such as a Per Cent for Art commission in Scoil Bhride, Kill.
The artwork will also be part of the Culture Night Public Art bus tour on Friday 18th September.
'The Gallops' will be formally unveiled by the Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin on Wednesday 24th June 2015 at 10am
