Title of artwork: Perpetual Motion
Artists: Remco de Fouw and Rachel Joynt
Year: 2003-2004
Commissioner: Kildare County Council
Funding: Per Cent for Arts
Per Cent for Art Location: Naas Bypass, M7 Motorway, County Kildare
Situated in a prominent green area near the Naas turn off on the M7 motorway, Perpetual Motion stands as a beacon on the main route connecting the southwest of Ireland to Dublin.
Inspiration
This striking sculptural work, created by artists Remco de Fouw and Rachel Joynt, draws inspiration from its surroundings and the bustling activity of the motorway junction, with its constant flow of traffic serving as its central theme. The artwork captures this dynamic energy, reflecting the essence of modern travel.
The concept of movement is integral to the artwork and the road markings painted on the sphere evoke a sense of perpetual motion.
However, Perpetual Motion also prompts a deeper contemplation, inviting viewers to ponder the balance between the functional importance of the motorway and its impact on the landscape. This duality is intentionally ambiguous; it leaves the viewer to interpret the work in their own way — some may see it as a celebration of modern infrastructure, perhaps others as a subtle critique.
Process
Perpetual Motion is a hollow, ferro-cement sphere, nine-metre in diameter, that has been textured and painted with a tarmac-like surface that depicts various road markings, suggesting the movement around a globe. Designed to be ‘seen’ and ‘read’ both at speed and from a distance, the Per Cent for Arts-funded sculpture invites viewers to reflect on the nature and development of the motorway.
Collaboration
Perpetual Motion is not just a standalone sculpture; it is a collaborative effort between two renowned artists who incorporated a local perspective, creating a significant landmark for those who travel on the M7. Its prominence has made it one of the most recognisable and best-known public sculptures in Ireland.
The artwork received a facelift in 2009, during which the artists, de Fouw and Joynt, assisted Kildare County Council and its maintenance contractors in selecting the appropriate materials, colours and surface treatments.
About the artists
A graduate of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) with a first class degree in sculpture in 1991, Remco De Fouw has been working as a full-time artist ever since. He has had six solo exhibitions to date and participated in many group shows. He has received three Arts Council Bursaries and other awards, including the Alexandra Wejchert Sculpture Award in 1998. He has completed numerous public art projects in Ireland and the UK, and now works as a part-time lecturer in sculpture and photography at the IT Carlow, Wexford Campus.
Rachel Joynt has produced work for galleries and public art since graduating from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) with a degree in Sculpture in 1989. Joynt has had solo shows in Dublin, Belfast and Marseilles and exhibited in many group shows. In 2005 she became a full member of the RHA and has numerous public art works in Ireland and some pieces abroad.