Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

___

GALWAY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

___

___

___

Literary Inspiration

The work draws its profound emotional weight from Patrick Kavanagh’s poem, Sanctity. Behan translates Kavanagh’s exploration of the "twin ironies" of the human condition—the burden of unrequited passion and the technical isolation of the artist—into a towering, tactile form.

"To be a poet and not know / the trade / To be a lover and repel / all women / Twin ironies by which / great saints are made / The agonising pincer / jaws of heaven"

Behan’s interpretation uses the verticality of the spires to mirror the "pincer jaws," suggesting a space where the agony of the creative process meets the divine.

Art at the University of Galway

The sculpture is a cornerstone of the university's extensive art collection, which currently features over 500 works ranging from traditional canvases to avant-garde installations. The university has cultivated this cultural wealth through:

Generous Bequests: Decades of donations and permanent loans from alumni and patrons.

Active Patronage: A commitment to supporting local and international artists through contemporary commissions.

Public Integration: Unlike private galleries, the university distributes its collection across functional campus buildings and outdoor spaces, ensuring that art remains a daily encounter for students, staff, and visitors alike.

Most of these works, including Twin Spires, are located in accessible areas, inviting the public to engage with Ireland's rich visual heritage in an open, academic environment.

___

___

Another Sculpture By John Behan - Select Image To View Photographs