Rachel Joynt facts for kids

Perpetual motion

Rachel Joynt is a famous Irish sculptor born in 1966 in Caherciveen, County Kerry. She is known for creating amazing public art that you can see in many places. Rachel studied sculpture at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, graduating in 1989.

Rachel's father, Dick Joynt, was also a sculptor, so art runs in her family! Rachel loves to explore ideas about places, history, and nature in her artwork. She often shows how the past is still a part of the present.

Famous Public Artworks by Rachel Joynt

Rachel Joynt has created many well-known sculptures that people can enjoy every day. Her art often makes you think about the world around you.

People's Island: Footprints in Dublin

One of Rachel's early works is called People's Island, made in 1988. This artwork is on a busy pedestrian island near O'Connell Bridge in Dublin. It features brass footprints and bird feet crossing the ground. It's like a map of all the people and birds that have walked there!

Perpetual Motion: The Big Sphere

Noah's Egg, outside the Veterinary Sciences Centre in University College Dublin

In 1995, Rachel Joynt worked with another artist, Remco de Fouw, to create Perpetual Motion. This is a huge sphere, like a giant ball, with road markings on it. You can see it on the Naas dual carriageway. Many people say it's one of Ireland's most famous sculptures! It even appeared in a TV advertisement as a symbol for leaving Dublin.

Liffey Cobblestones: Lights and Fish

Rachel also created 900 special glass cobblestones that light up. These were placed along the edge of the River Liffey in Dublin in 2005. Many of these unique cobblestones have bronze or silverfish designs inside them. They add a magical glow to the riverside at night.

Other Notable Sculptures

Rachel Joynt's art can be found in many different locations, from city streets to university campuses.

• Viking Crafts Pavement Piece: Outside Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, there's a pavement artwork showing Viking crafts.
• Solas na Glasrai (The Grocers' Light): At the corner of Moore Street and Parnell Street in Dublin, you can see a brass light pole decorated with casts of fish, fruit, and vegetables.
• Marble Seat in Ennis: In Ennis, at the Clare library headquarters, there's a beautiful marble seat with a bronze book built into it.
• Noah's Egg: Made in 2004, Noah's Egg is a sculpture located at the University College Dublin Veterinary School in Belfield, Dublin.
• Love All: This sculpture was created in 2007 and is located in Templeogue village, Dublin.
• Mothership Sculpture: You can find the Mothership Sculpture along the coastline in Glasthule, Dublin.