RCSI and Business to Arts unveil Beatha by Rachel Joynt

This idea is at the heart of Beatha, a significant new public sculpture by acclaimed Irish artist Rachel Joynt, RHA, unveiled at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences' campus at 118 St Stephen's Green, Dublin.

Facilitated and project managed by Business to Arts, the commission draws inspiration from poet Paula Meehan's description of nearby St Stephen's Green as the green lung of the city, bringing together art, medicine and wellbeing. Working closely with the RCSI Art Committee and Rachel Joynt, Business to Arts guided the project from artist selection and concept development through to final installation.

Taking its name from the Irish word for 'life', Beatha draws on the forms of an oak sapling and the human lung to explore the vital connection between human health and the natural world. Standing almost four metres tall, the bronze sculpture features intricate branching forms and a distinctive green patina, echoing the structures and processes that sustain life.

Installed in RCSI's landscaped courtyard garden, the sculpture responds to the university's vision for a living, breathing space where students can pause, find a moment of calm and step away from the demands of their studies.

Bringing Rachel's vision to life required engineering expertise. Working with Nicholas O'Dwyer consultants, Rachel used scanning and 3D printing technologies to realise the sculpture's complex form. The bronze was then cast in separate sections at CAST foundry in Dublin's Liberties before being assembled and welded together.

The commission builds on Business to Arts' long-standing relationship with RCSI, an Arts Patron member, and demonstrates how thoughtful artistic commissions can enrich shared spaces, reflect an organisation's values and create meaningful connections between art, people and place.