Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. This week I am focusing on public art, which my city has in abundance.
Lots of our junction boxes have murals on their side.
These pieces are at a small suburban shopping centre we go past on our way to the lake.
I really liked this drain set into the path (and to my shame had never noticed it before).
This statue 'A delicate Moment' by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend replaces one which was stolen (and no doubt melted down) by oxygen thieves a year ago.
And to finish on something completely different, these murals are on the sides of a public toilet block.
I think the overall effect is mostly better than the close-up view, but love that it is there.
Next week I might take you to less public art and a visit we made to a private art gallery.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. This week I am focusing on public art, which my city has in abundance.
Lots of our junction boxes have murals on their side.
These pieces are at a small suburban shopping centre we go past on our way to the lake.
I really liked this drain set into the path (and to my shame had never noticed it before).
This statue 'A delicate Moment' by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend replaces one which was stolen (and no doubt melted down) by oxygen thieves a year ago.
And to finish on something completely different, these murals are on the sides of a public toilet block.
I think the overall effect is mostly better than the close-up view, but love that it is there.
Next week I might take you to less public art and a visit we made to a private art gallery.
I like to see public art. Themes are pretty much the same everywhere, or so I think.
ReplyDeleteCaterina: I am a big fan of public art. Himself said how much he enjoyed it in China, and some of the pieces he took photographs of were very different to ours.
DeleteWonderful art. There are some very talented people about...who selflessly share with others. Stunning works.
ReplyDeleteKeep warm down there, EC. I hope you have a great week...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: I am always awed at the talent on display. A busy week with more than a little medical ugliness here. I hope you and your furry critters have a much better one.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeletePublic art is so important - to brighten up the environment, to make us think, to provoke discussion and just to be beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: No arguments from me. I really love public art including the ones which aren't to my taste (if that makes sense).
DeleteThanks for sharing these photos. I love street art. When I visited San Francisco, I saw a Banksy, which darn near had me fainting from the thrill of it. We also went by a bicycle rack that had some pretty knitting wrapped around it. My daughter said that someone must have been afraid that it was cold.
ReplyDeleteJanie Junebug: You saw a Banksy??? Lucky, lucky you. I am a big fan of yarn bombing too, and am smiling at your daughter's comment.
DeleteJust incredible art, EC. That statue is wonderful and you captured it perfectly for sharing with me. I am looking forward to more. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. As well as sky, bird and garden obsessed art is another passion of mine, so you will see more. And next week is a possibility.
DeleteIt's lovely to see art in public places, and I really enjoyed these, EC. It looks as if art on public toilets might stop graffiti - or doesn't Canberra have a problem with that? The grating is my favourite -such a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteI am lucky enough to have seen several Banksy art works (couldn't decide how to make Banksy plural!), and it is always a huge thrill.
I hope the medical ugliness isn't too awful, and that you are enjoying the cooler weather.
Canberra has intermittent problems with graffiti. I still laugh when I remember a politician (not one I liked) who scrubbed off an art work believing it to be graffiti. Several Bansky works of art? Lucky you.
DeleteBoth himself and I have dental abscesses. Mine is ok (just as well as the dentist can't start work until the end of the month. Himself is blown up like a chipmunk and his glasses no longer sit on his face.
I also have some medical tests. Blood tests (which I don't mind though eight vials seems excessive) and a brain and a spine MRI. Which I do mind. My claustrophobic self loathes them. (Give us this day our daily whinge.)
I think the bird murals are great. Very few would study them closely, so it is how the look from a distance. Australia has been a bit slow in painting art on street utility cabinets, but we are now getting there. The drain cover is good too, another thing we have been a bit slow to embrace.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: You are right about the mural. I usually only see it from a distance and thoroughly enjoy it. Canberra has had murals on our junction boxes for a number of years, and some of them are spectacular. This is a relatively new one. I haven't seen other decorative drain covers here, and would welcome more.
DeleteI absolutely love all the murals especially on the junction boxes; what a great idea
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: It is a great initiative isn't it?
DeleteSuch great murals.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: Aren't they?
DeleteAs always, you find some quirky things for Sundays.
ReplyDeleteA NZ friend "decorated" an amenities block in NZ, with various dinosaurs;I think about the time "Jurassic Park" was all the rage!
dinahmow: Thank you. There is always room for quirk in my world. Do you have any photos of your friend's work?
DeleteI might...but I suspect not.It was pre-digital and we've lost touch
Deletedinahmow: Bummer.
DeleteThese are rather favourable, better than looking at a dirty wall.
ReplyDeleteLove the women and the grate, we don't often look down when we walk.
Margaret-whiteangel: We don't look either up or down often enough.
DeleteMuch nicer that plain walls, or nasty graffiti.
ReplyDeleteThis week i have a mixed bag of selections over here.
messymimi: Much better than plain walls or graffiti. Looking forward to your Sunday Selections.
DeleteThe sculpture is very detailed. I constantly amazed by people's creativity.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: I have seen a few works by those particular artists and am always blown away by the detail and definition they achieve.
DeleteThe murals certainly make the toilet block more interesting to look at. I like the sculpture and hope it stays in place. The drain cover is great, why can't they all be interesting to look at?
ReplyDeleteRiver: I agree with all of your comments. Conservatively speaking 200 per cent.
DeletePublic art cheers me up wherever and whenever I encounter it.
ReplyDeleteI liked them all, but the drain was my favourite - so neat!
Nilanjana Bose: I am a big fan of public art too, and was really chuffed when we noticed that drain. I have had my eye out since, but haven't spotted any more.
DeleteSo creative murals...
ReplyDeleteReHiTu: I thought so too. And am filled with admiration for the artists.
DeleteWow, I love it.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I am glad.
DeleteSo lovely to see colour and imagination in public. I particularly love the statue.
ReplyDeletejabblog: Thank you. I really like that statue too and was very grateful to see a news story that it had been installed.
DeleteIn general, I would say that murals are not widely used here, but I wish they were. They certainly add colour and interest to urban landscapes.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am very grateful that murals and public art are very common here.
DeleteAnd I forgot to add that I think the statue is very splendid indeed.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: It is a moving and lovely statue isn't it?
DeleteLove seeing all this public art! We have a bit here and maybe it would be a good idea for me to make a photographic compilation.
ReplyDeleteJono: I would LOVE to see a compilation of the public art near you. Really love to see it.
DeleteI like that drain. Wow, that is intricate work.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Isn't it? Beautiful AND functional.
DeleteSuch beautiful images. I enjoy seeing these things from your town. Makes me want to visit.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I wish you could.
DeleteOxygen thieves - brilliant:)
ReplyDeleteI love the tender beauty of that statue. Moves me.
And the bright birds on the building - things like that
make my heart warmer about life on this planet:)
Thanks for sharing the wonder.
- Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: You are so very right about the tender beauty of that statue. From every angle.
DeleteThey make me think of the word Serendipity. Turn a corner...there is something lovely. Look down...the drain cover...this could cheer anyone!
ReplyDeleteneena maiya (guyana gyal): I keep my eyes open (mostly) for beauty and am generously rewarded. Sometimes I even have my camera with me.
DeleteThanks... I enjoy seeing your city street art. I love that statue with the lady and the goose. I wonder if anybody ran into her while texting. lol.
ReplyDeleteHave great week.
Hugs, Julia
Julia: I have less than no sympathy for texting related mishaps. I hope your week is wonderful.
DeleteI love the murals. Now I want murals on all our junction boxes.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: They are a definite improvement aren't they?
DeleteSo nice to be able to walk around and see such lovely art displays. There are few in my small town.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing these.
Myrna R.: I am so grateful for an art obsessed Chief Minister we had several guvermints ago. His work lives on - in the most positive way.
DeleteSo much beauty in artwork! I wish murals like yours could be had in every town. It would make people smile more often. Love that you take the time to share so much with us!
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: I love your generous and supportive comments. I do worry that people get tired of my obsessions.
DeleteThe murals on such structures are a great idea. The statue is a beauty too. Happy week, EC.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you. And a happy and beauty filled week to you.
DeleteI love public art. It makes our streets so much prettier. I especially love the statue of the girl with her bird. I'll never understand why some people vandalize street statues or steal them. We have a statue in Vancouver of our city founder, the first tavern owner, Gassy Jack. It's a big tourist attraction. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMn5de7a320/VdEUd0Q8etI/AAAAAAAAAe0/J1fUEAJXUPY/s1600/87142634_e669f24f9c.jpg I heard that occasionally, some hoodlums remove his head. It had been replaced at least twice since the statue was installed in 1972. It has me baffled. Why would anyone do that?
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: Thank you so much for that link. A tavern owner founded your town? I really love history like that. And no, I don't understand those who find pleasure in destroying works of art. At all.
DeleteVancouver started out as a logging camp. Of course, Jack's tavern was the main hub of activity.
DeleteOlga Godim: That makes sense. I suspect that the tavern and the whore-house were both hives of activity. And possibly run by the same man.
DeleteI'm a big fan of public art and wish we had more of it. I love all the colors here. Hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeletee: I welcome all our public art, and hiss and spit at the detractors who say it costs too much. Sending you an email shortly.
DeleteI have a mixed opinion of public art. I love some of it and some of it is not my cup of tea. At he same time I understand I can only control creations that are mine so some I look at and admire, and some I walk right by.
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Some of our public art I scratch my head about, and some I definitely walk right past. I do love that is there though. A lot.
DeleteI love that sculpture of the girl and the goose. Gorgeous. And public art is so important. I find it lifts me and pauses me.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I am with you on both counts. I liked the statue which this one replaces (though I don't have a photo of it) and this one is a worthy successor. I love public art. Beauty, whimsy and sometimes a thought trigger.
DeleteOh I like that cool drain too! All of these, really. Fine art in public! I love NZ. [btw I'm home in Honolulu to STAY! YAY!)
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I am so glad you have moved back to Honolulu, your heart never left.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to brighten up the drab buildings & junction boxes and add some whimsy to the area. I recently saw that our artsy town is doing something similar. It makes people smile and that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It is indeed a wonderful (and relatively cheap) way to brighten an area. There is always room for whimsy too.
DeleteDelightful murals! I do love the whimsy. In the first picture the bee looks as if he's had a hard day...
ReplyDeleteBill: A very hard day.
DeleteThat's some awesome art, I especially like the murals!
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: Welcome back. I like the murals too, but have a soft spot for the statue and the grate as well.
DeleteHi EC - thanks for highlighting the utility boxes ... I spotted them in Canada - and I'm sure are to be found here. They certainly cheer the streets up. The drain cover is fascinating isn't it - we have them here too ... dating back to the days when they had fires in the cellars - which then heated the rooms above: I've seen them in churches, and in Somerset House - presumably for heating pipes in that case?!
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture is just amazing and I do hope it's not stolen too - one wonders why people want to destroy things ...
Great post - thoroughly enjoyed it - cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Those who steal and/or deface public art sadden me, and I haven't the slightest idea what they get out of it. I expect you are right about the drain covers in churches and Somerset House. I hope so, because I hate to think of them being needed inside to drain water. I have seen decorative drain covers in other places, but this is the first I have seen here. Hopefully not the last.
DeleteWow! Seeing these murals in such different spots tells me I need to pay more attention to places I visit more often. Quite interesting to see! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteRO: My city is noted for its public art, and some of it still 'sneaks up' on me. Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated.
DeleteIsn't it funny how we can pass something numerous times and not take note of it? I guess it's just an even bigger delicious surprise when we finally do. :) Looking forward to reading about the museum next. Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I was glad to have a camera with me to take photos of that drain. I hope your week is lovely.
DeleteMantises rock ... not so much wasps. They're the real jerks of the insect world.
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: I would take wasps over mosquitoes any day.
DeleteYou have so much outdoor art where you live, EC. We have next to nothing here.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my insects small enough not to intimidate me, but those are very finely rendered. Love that grate - it is so interesting and yet still functional. And the lady with the goose is pulling at my heartstrings. I wonder if that is what is intended?
I hope your week goes better than you expect; tooth abscess is a bad experience. And I've never had an MRI - hope to never have one - but I am impressed by your fortitude. Good luck, dear friend. May the week fly by and be done with before you know it.
jenny_o: Our climate is perhaps more conducive to public art displays. I am very, very grateful for them as well.
DeleteThe grate was a lovely find, and would take water happily and not take any of the rubbish which sadly is a given in any shopping centre.
MRIs are non invasive, but do my head in. The new neurologist says that I need at least one a year. Sigh.
Dude! Those bug murals are so rad!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Aren't they? I really like that the junction box murals are so varied. I will try and take more pictures of them in future.
DeleteObviously not enough caffeine today. One more time:
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I especially like the sculpture of the girl and her goose.
Hope your day and evening are wondrous.
Sandra: Isn't that a lovely sculpture. Simultaneously heart warming and heart tugging.
DeleteWow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteIs the bronze woman holding a goose?
Susan Kane: She is indeed cradling a goose.
DeleteAmazing public art I particularly love the artwork of the birds and the statue of the girl.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: The woman with the goose is special isn't it?
DeleteIt really is and I see also very popular there are different figurines with girls and geese selling online.
DeleteRasmaSandra: The girl and the goose stories cross cultures I believe, and I love that they continue to inspire.
DeleteWow - those murals are something else!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: I think so, and smile each time we go past.
DeleteA fabulous series, always love looking at your Sunday Selections. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I am very glad to hear you enjoyed them.
DeleteThat praying mantis(?) is great:)
ReplyDeleteHope your day is/was :_ ) productive and pleasant.
Sandra: It is indeed a mantis, and made me smile. I hope your day is all you wish for me.
DeleteI like the woman strangling the goose. :D
ReplyDeleteGood artwork and photos by you!
LL Cool Joe: Strangling the goose? Now there is a different perspective. And thank you.
DeleteYou've shared some fabulous street art/murals here, the colours and design are very good.
ReplyDeleteI do like the statue too.
Always nice to see your Sunday selections, wishing you a good week ahead.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I hope your week is delightful too.
Delete