"Strewth"
The Concept |
Click on the image to see more detail on 'Lexie' |
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Figure under construction |
Head detail in the rough |
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The idea for this work came about when I wondered how I could adapt an existing sculpture created to hang in a tree to a beachside venue where there were no trees. So work began on creating this complex, three module work. All went according to plan right up to nearly the last moment when I ran into some challenges. The suspended piece, Lexie, turned out to be too heavy for the frame. This posed a potential risk to the public. So two lighter substitute suspended elements were hastily constructed. In the end I chose to use the module Tuna-Tyrefish seen alongside which was the lightest of the three suspended modules. Below are images of the result installed at the 2008 SWELL Sculpture Show at Currumbin in southern Queensland, Australia . Strong public interaction with this work was observed with many being amused by the concept and especially by the expression of the figure, but children particularly interacted positively with the suspended element, which was pleasing. It also seemed to prove to be a challenge to patrons emerging from the bar of the nearby surf club late of an evening to see if they could topple the work over. No chance of that! It had a substantial frame buried in the sand. Also the core of the figure was an armature of welded steel rods. Despite what appears to have been some very vigorous efforts made over several nights to pull the "fisherman" over, only very minor damage was done to some of the surface paint work on his wrists. |
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The skyline of Australia's Gold Coast can be seen in the background |
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The "skidmarks" in the sand were added by members of the public to make it look like the figure had been dragged along the sand by his catch |
Detail of the face in colour. The colour was created by mixing raw oxides into the surface sealer. The mix of paper and cement absorbed the colour at varying rates, which accounts for the figure's "freckles" |
