To celebrate the deep and long-lasting connections between Japan and Ireland, the Government of Ireland commissioned Joseph Walsh Studio and the Making In Cultural Programme to undertake a creative programme of engagement with Japan through major participation in Expo Osaka 2025.

A significant milestone in the studio’s history, Joseph Walsh will unveil Magnus RINN at Ireland’s Pavilion in Expo Osaka, his first monumental outdoor sculpture, showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship and artistic vision. Through these initiatives, the Making In Cultural Programme and Joseph Walsh Studio continue to advance an understanding and appreciation of design, making and craftsmanship, with a view to fostering cultural connections and dialogues between Ireland and Japan.

Magnus RINN is a circular form, transitioning from bronze to wood and finished in a gold gilding. The work symbolizes the relationship between man and nature, representing the passing of time and Nature’s cycles. This singular form will be made of bronze and wood; the lower half in bronze with the texture of the maker’s hand, while the upper section is made of high-performance Oak.