Horror of Gaza explored in John Behan’s new show
A Terrible Beauty, an exhibition of 40 new sculptures and more than a dozen framed drawings by John Behan opened at the city’s Kenny Gallery last Saturday.
John Behan is renowned for creating powerful sculptures that respond to human crises – famine, migration, displacement, identity – and by human resilience. Several of the works in this show were inspired by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza.
He also revisited some of his signature motifs – dynamic flights of birds and powerful bulls that embody freedom, strength and endurance.
John is particularly celebrated for his bull sculptures, which were described by the late playwright Brian Friel as "enormously solid artefacts, four-square on the earth, confident, assured, executed to a point of absolute completion".
Dublin-born John Behan, who has lived in Galway for many decades, is one of Ireland's most important and influential artists.
Now in his 80s and still hugely prolific, he has created an extraordinary body of work over the years, taking part in many solo and group exhibitions in Ireland and worldwide. He has also been commissioned to create public sculpture in locations at home and abroad.
John loves travelling and his experiences of the places he visits are captured in his art.
Poet Louis de Paor performed the official opening of A Terrible Beauty on Saturday.
The show runs until October 21 in the gallery at the city’s Liosbán Retail Park and can be viewed online at www.thekennygallery.ie.
Pictured: Artist John Behan. His latest show A Terrible Beauty, is a collection of 40 new sculptures and drawings.