Convergence Benburb

Convergence is a community-initiated public sculpture project for Benburb, Co. Tyrone, funded by the BPttA programme of the Arts Council NI. The 4m high bronze sculpture is inspired by the archaeology and industrial heritage of the historic river Blackwater which marks the border of the counties Armagh and Tyrone. It forms a dramatic gateway over a footpath, framing the dramatic view into the deep ravine and cliff face shaped by the torrent river. The two-piece sculpture references rows of water-driven wooden ‘beetles’ used to pound the surface of the woven linen while their frontal surfaces are marked with the texture of draped linen transforming into the torrent waters of the river. The 18th century Milltown beetling mill operated as late as the 1980s and its sound and working environment is still vividly remembered by members of both Benburb and Milltown communities.