JOHN BEHAN: Past and Present

Solomon Fine Art is delighted to host an exhibition of new works by one of Ireland’s most celebrated living sculptors, John Behan.

In this exhibition of recent bronze sculpture, Behan continues to observe and explore themes of emigration and the displacement of people through the lens of Irish history, mythology and literature. Alongside scenes and imagery which reflect the plight of present-day refugees and victims of war, Behan has also created new iterations of his now-iconic famine ships and oar boats representing Ireland’s history of migration. The exhibition will also include several of the artist's signature bulls among a range of mythologised beasts and birds inspired by Irish history and literature. 

Behan is known for his remarkable and numerous public sculptures, including the iconic ‘National Famine Memorial’ in County Mayo and the monumental bronze ‘Arrival’ ship sited outside the United Nations headquarters in New York – a gift to the UN from the Irish Government in 2000. His work is included in many private collections including that of former Irish presidents Michael D Higgins, Mary McAleese & Mary Robinson, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Bill & Hillary Clinton; and in the public collections of IMMA, OPW State Art Collection, The Hugh Lane, Crawford Municipal Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland.