Public Art in Manly (pdf) - Manly Council

PUBLIC ARTIN MANLY

ST12to ManlyLagoonNorthSteyneParkSM ITHB IR K L E YP A R KR DA V EL A W S O NP LQ U IN T O NR DA U G U S T AOCEANLNO C E A NIvanhoe ParkGardensR DStAndrewsR DA U G U STA LNKANG ARO O22KangarooParkSTYouthCentreKangaroo RockLNK A N G A R O OS TP IT T W A T E RR DDENISONCARLTON STSTEINTONSt MarysR A G L A NSTWHISTLERS TSTSTSTAV EN O R T HS T E Y N ES TMapHEN RIE T TA210CAMERA15Art Gallery& MuseumOceanworldS Y D N E YSTU P P E RW E S T821R DTOWERTower Hill ParkROW E STSTEsplanade Park1. Frameworks (site A)Market LaneGILBERTE S PEUSTACESTST112. Frameworks (site B)Manly Art Gallery & Museum forecourt3. OceanidesHelen LeeteFairy Bower Pool, Marine Parade4. Manly VisionsWarren LangleyManly Library, Market Lane5. Bend the truthMichael SnapeManly Library, Market Lane6. Market Lane MuralRuth DownesMarket Lane7. CrawlLoui FraserManly Surf Pavilion, South SteyneGilbert ParkW E S T PROMManlyCouncilManly WharfO Y A M A16A V EB E L G R A V E17LibraryVisitor InformationCentreC O V E A V EWHISTLERT H EE A S TS T U A R TSHORT5 4 6EASTCENTRALMARKETESP1LA N EE S PW O O DS TC O R S OL NR IALT OS Q U AR EW E N T W O R T HV IC T O R IA182420198. Curl CurlChristopher HodgesWest Esplanade Reserve9A S H B U R N E ROSBORNED A R L E YS TS TR DR DManlyBeachS OU T HP A R A D E9. TideMerilyn FairskyeRialto Square, via Wentworth Street andThe CorsoS TA D D IS O N10. Barton and Parkes MonumentStephen GlassborowFederation Point, Commonwealth Parade11. ShellUrban Art ProjectsManly Wharf Forecourt12. Lagoon Park Sculpture Walk*Ishi Buki Sandstone SculptorsQuota Park Playground Manly Lagoonforeshore13. Ecotourism WalkTim JohnmanShelly Beach at Cabbage Tree BayM A R S H A L L7S T E Y N EC L IF FH IG H S TS TS TR DFAIRYBOWERB O W E RR E D D A L LVIVIAN STS TCOLLEGERDM A R IN ES T23STP D EBOWER LND A R L E Y R DCabbage Tree BayAquatic ReserveFairy BowerPool3B O W E R14. Sandstone Sea themed boulderIshi Buki Sandstone SculptorsShelly Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay15. InspirationFrancis SargantManly Art Gallery & Museum forecourt16. Governor Arthur PhillipRayner HoffGrande Esplanade Apartments,West Esplanade17. Manly Anzac MemorialThe Corso, (Manly Wharf end)18. Broken Column FountainEast Esplanade19. Wind and WaveLenton ParrThe Corso, (Ocean Beach end)Shelly BeachS T13 1420. Statue of Greek WomanPacific Point Building, Sydney Road21. Gargoyles*Sandstone wall, Sydney Road22. Stone Kangaroo Sculpture*Kangaroo Park, Kangaroo Street23. Shell and WaveCliff AxelsenMarine ParadeSydneyHarbourNational24. Sir Roden Cutler SculptureParkAlan SomervilleOutside Manly Village Primary School,Wentworth Streetwheelchair access to all sites exceptwhere noted by * (asterisk)* no wheelchair access

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Manlyand to introduce “The Public Art in Manly” project.In our local community, we encourage individualismand creativity, particularly when the result is anartistic expression that can be enjoyed by all.public art in manlymap reference1&2This project seeks to promote awareness andappreciation of sculpture and other art forms in ourpublic places. This new guide takes you to twentyfour sites in Manly where you will have the pleasureof viewing thought provoking pieces of art whichare rich in beauty and cultural significance. Severalof the sculptures listed in this guide have beenloaned to Manly Council by the artists themselvesand I thank them for their generosity and display ofcommunity spirit.The artworks featured in this guide celebrate ourimportant cultural heritage and also serve as asymbol of a promising future for public art in Manly.This project reflects the continued commitment ofManly Council to the cultural development of thisarea and our community.I hope you enjoy your experience of public art inManly.Dr Peter MacdonaldMayor of ManlyThis program celebrates public art and sculpturein Australia, and seeks to stimulate interest anddebate in this vital and dynamic art form. ManlyCouncil is committed to promoting public art for thebenefit of the Manly community. Manly Council hasbeen active in sourcing and exhibiting sculpturesfor loan as well as facilitating the commissioningof a number of major public art works over thepast decades. Some sculptures you see aroundManly and which are shown in this publicationhave been donated by the artists or purchased byphilanthropists then donated to Manly Councilfor the enjoyment of all. I would like to take thisopportunity to thank the artists who have kindlyshared their sculptures with the Manly community.Councillor Brad PedersenChair, Public Art CommitteeManly Councilvarious artistsFrameworks (sites A and B)Market Lane and forecourt of Manly Art Gallery & MuseumFrameworks is a series of eight permanent outdoor frames whichcreate an ‘outdoor gallery’ for the temporary display of artworks bylocal artists and enable the community to enjoy them all hours ofthe day and night. Frameworks aims to show works that are humanand intimate in scale, and not rigid and permanent.Artists present unique works that provide access to all people byextending art out of the gallery space and into the community.Frameworks change twice yearly.

3public art in manlymap reference4public art in manlymap referenceWarren LangleyManly Visions, 1995glass muralManly Library, ground floorManly Visions features a large, centrally located spiral imagesymbolising life, evolution and progress. To the right of this spiralis a series of images of Manly prepared by local children and to theleft, is a jumble of letters alluding to the mural’s Library setting.From this emerges a single sentence from the early records ofGovernor Arthur Phillip, describing his first visit to Manly and thenaming of the area.Helen LeeteOceanides, 1997high fired stoneware reinforced with steel rods and concreteDonated to Manly Council by Rosemary Eather, 2004Marine ParadeWarren Langley is an artist who often uses glass as a principlematerial. He has held solo and group exhibitions of his workin Australia and overseas and has also completed public artcommissions in Australia and overseas.Oceanides refers to the sea nymphs of Greek mythology whichwere often part human and part sea-creature. They reflect theexuberant energy and playfulness that the Greek philosopherscalled ‘the laughter of the gods’. The two figures represent joyfulbathers in the sun and sea, luxuriating in the beauty of Manly andthe relationship between humankind and other creatures.Helen Leete also has sculptures in The Royal Botanic Gardens,Sydney, Macquarie University Sculpture Park, Kuringai Art Centreand Gallery 460 Sculpture Park,Gosford.

5public art in manlymap reference6public art in manlymap referenceRuth DownesMarket Lane Mural, 2005acrylic paint on brickMarket LaneMichael SnapeBend the truth, 1996welded steelPurchased by Manly Council, 2002Manly Library, Market LaneBend the truth plays with the idea that words can change and bendtheir meaning depending on how they are used. This sculpture alsobends the truth of its artistic purpose by assuming the functionalqualities of a tree guard and bike rack. Locating Bend the truthoutside a library provokes ideas about knowledge and truth.Michael Snape has public sculptures in The Rocks, Taylor Square,Darling Harbour, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney Park andKings Cross. He exhibits with Mori Gallery, Sydney.With panels of rich, vibrant colour reinforced by strong, blackvertical and horizontal bars, the mural reminds us of events andissues in the community over the past 70 years featuring headlinesfrom The Manly Daily.Ruth Downes was the inaugural ‘People’s Choice’ award-winner inthe National Sculpture Prize & Exhibition in 2001. She taught designin the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Sydney for sevenyears and runs her own design consultancy in public art, exhibitionand graphic design.

7public art in manlymap reference8public art in manlymap referenceLoui FraserCrawl, 1997welded steel armature, high strength plaster, bronze polymer finishDonated by the artist, 2000Manly Surf Pavilion, South SteyneInspired by the artist’s fond childhood memories of swimmingat Manly, the sculpture celebrates the ‘Australian Crawl’,contemporary surf club culture and the vital role of surf life savingin Australia.The surface treatment of the work reflects the colour of sea rocksand the corroded appearance of a relic from the ocean. Throughthis sculpture, nature, movement and the corrosiveness of time fusetogether.Loui Fraser has worked with City of Sydney Council and KuringaiCouncil on public sculpture projects and with RookwoodIndependent Cemetery.Christopher HodgesCurl Curl, 1998rolled mild steel, paintedOn loan to Manly CouncilWest Esplanade Reserve, outside the Manly Art Gallery &MuseumThe title of the work, Curl Curl came to the artist partly asa comment on the curl of the waves, and the Indigenousnaming of the place Curl Curl beach near Manly.The motifs of the work derive directly from the sea andthe repetitive action of the swell. The totemic constructionwith its supporting spine bears many similarities to the artof Oceania.Christopher Hodges’s paintings and sculptures arerepresented in many collections around Australia. He hasbeen involved in several public art commissions and is theDirector of Utopia Art Gallery in Sydney.

9public art in manlymap reference10public art in manlymap referenceMerilyn FairskyeTide, 2001polished stainless steel cylindrical columnsRialto Square, between Wentworth Streetand The CorsoCommissioned by Manly Council, Tideconsists of six polished stainless steelcylindrical columns with varying heightsbetween 1.2m and 1.86m.Each column emits lights of varying colourthrough acrylic strips on either side and asoft soundscape at predetermined times.The column heights represent the high tidelevels on six dates in history, from 4000BC to28 May 2000. Each date is on the column isinscribed with tidal information.On each day, at the time of the lowest tidefor that date, the recurrent chiming of agiven note can be heard in each of thecolumns. At noon, the sounds combine to play an interpretation ofa transcription of an Aboriginal song from the Sydney region.Merilyn Fairskye is a Sydney artist teaching in the Media Arts Studioof Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. Her works rangefrom public artwork to video installations, films and photo-basedworks and she exhibits broadly in Australia and overseas.Photo courtesy of Merilyn FairskyeStephen GlassborowBarton and Parkes Commemorative Sculptures, 2002bronze sculpture and sandstoneCommissioned by Manly Council, 2001Federation Point, Commonwealth ParadeThis impressive public artwork by sculptor Stephen Glassborow,commemorates the careers of Sir Edmund Barton (Australia’s firstPrime Minister) and Sir Henry Parkes (the architect of AustralianFederation).Both Sir Edmund Barton and Sir Henry Parkes had strong links tothe Manly Area. The choice of location took into account ManlyCouncil’s 1901 development of a road from West Esplanadetowards North Harbour, named Commonwealth Parade tocommemorate the then recent inauguration of the Commonwealthof Australia on January 1st, 1901.The stairway leading to Commonwealth Parade was seen as alogical site for the Barton and Parkes commemorative sculpture,bringing together the dedication in 1901 of Commonwealth Paradeand the naming of the Federation Point in 2001.Stephen Glassborow is a sculptor who lives on the NorthernBeaches region of Sydney and has exhibited widely in Australia andoverseas

art in manlymap reference11public12public art in manlymap referenceUrban Art ProjectsShell, 2000cast aluminium, fibre optics, water featuresManly Wharf ForecourtShell is a mist sculpture reflecting Manly’s relationship with ourenvironment, the harbour and marine life.This highly interactive sculpture features a seven metre diameternautilus shell incorporating 32 misting nozzles that create clouds ofcooling water to a timed sequence.At night, the mist is effectively illuminated from the nozzles by fibreoptics and the shell floats in a ring of concealed blue neon.Urban Art Projects is a Queensland based art consultancy thatspecialises in large scale architectural design projects for urban,streetscape and public areas.Ishi Buki Sandstone Sculptors and Renée MoniqueQueenscliff Lagoon Park Sculpture WalkQuota Park Playground and Manly Lagoon foreshore at QueenscliffEight sandstone sculptures, associated signs and murals focus onraising community environmental awareness of Manly Lagooncatchment’s native terrestrial and aquatic fauna, through the ‘Hopin and Help Manly Lagoon’ environment education programme,initiated by Manly Environment Centre (MEC).Animal mascots were designed by community artist RenéeMonique, and reflect a sample of Manly Lagoon catchment’snative wildlife. The sandstone sculptures were created by northernbeaches based Ishi Buki sculptors, with associated signs andenvironmental messages based on artwork submitted by localschoolchildren. Murals by Renée within the playground conveyhuman impacts within the lagoon catchment, while the buildingmural depicts past recollections of lagoon activity by older residents.Ishi Buki is a Northern Beaches based stone sculpture company.Working predominately in sandstone they have completed projectsfor gardens playgrounds and other environments. Their work canalso be seen at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.Renée Monique is a local mural artist who has worked on a numberof public art projects on the Northern Beaches.

art in manlymap reference13public14public art in manlymap referenceTim JohnmanCabbage Tree Bay Eco-Sculpture Walk, 2002stainless steelShelly Beach, Cabbage Tree BayThe Cabbage Tree Bay Eco-Sculpture Walk is designed to raisevisitor awareness of some of this Bay’s special features andattractions, including marine species protected by the Cabbage TreeBay Aquatic Reserve. The walk’s nine stainless steel Eco-Sculpturesare accompanied by plaques, suitable for use by the visuallyimpaired.Tim Johnman has worked with Lithgow Pottery and on many publicart commissions.Ishi Buki Sandstone SculptorsSandstone Sea themed boulder, 2002sandstoneShelly Beach, Cabbage Tree BayThis sandstone sculpture is inspired by the marine life found in theCabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve and features the endangeredGloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus).Ishi Buki is a Northern Beaches based stone sculpture company.Working predominately in sandstone they have completed projectsfor gardens, playgrounds and other environments. Their work canalso be seen at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

art in manlymap reference15public16public art in manlymap referenceFrancis William SargantInspiration, c.1940sandstoneManly Art Gallery & Museum forecourtThis sandstone bas relief depicts a mythological scene where one ofthe nine goddesses of learning and the arts endows a man with thegenius of inspiration.Born in England, Francis William Sargant spent most of his earlylife in Italy as a sculptor. In the lead up to World War II, Sargantwas forced to leave Italy for Corfu and then to Athens where hewas forced to evacuate from the German invasion. Evacuated toAlexandria, Sargant was suspected as a spy and forced into aninternment camp. He was later released and boarded a ship forSydney, the only possession with him the plasticine model for thesculpture Inspiration- sacrificing his overcoat to bring it to Australia!In Sydney a local stonemason provided Sargant with the toolsand facilities to complete the work whereby, as a tribute to thehospitality shown to him here in Sydney, he donated the work toManly Art Gallery & Museum in 1944.Rayner Hoff (1894-1937)Governor Arthur Phillip Statue, 1934sandstoneGrande Esplanade Apartments, West EsplanadeThis statue of the first Governor of New South Wales, CaptainArthur Phillip, was sculpted by Rayner Hoff in 1934. It was a featureof the old Hotel Manly, formerly on this site. When the building wasdemolished in 1992, this statue was restored to occupy a similarposition overlooking Manly Cove.Rayner Hoff was born in England in 1894 and moved to Sydney toaccept the role as teacher at East Sydney Technical College. He washead of the art school from 1931-1937. He created sculptures forthe Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney and the South AustralianWar Memorial in Adelaide. He also completed busts of NormanLindsay and Dame Mary Gilmore which are in the Art Galleryof New South Wales collection. He is also represented in manyregional gallery collections in Australia.

art in manlymap reference17public18public art in manlymap referenceartist unknownBroken Column Fountain, 1903white Italian marbleEast EsplanadeBuilt in 1903 of white Italian marble, this former drinking fountainis a memorial for Frederick C. Smalpage who drowned at Manly in1902. It also commemorates the incorporation of the Municipalityof Manly in 1877 and is a Boer War memorial. The broken columnsymbolises life cut off at its prime.Burcham ClampManly Anzac Memorial, 1916trachyteThe CorsoBuilt of trachyte, the Manly Anzac Memorial was one of the earliestAnzac Memorials erected in Sydney. Donated by the family of AlanDavid Mitchell, the first soldier from Manly to die in World WarI, the monument was unveiled by Governor General, Sir RonaldMunro Ferguson on 14 October 1916.

art in manlymap reference19public20public art in manlymap referenceLenton ParrWind and Wave, 1988welded steelThe CorsoThis sculpture was unveiled in 1988 as an Australian BicentennialProject. It represents patterns of sunlight, water, clouds and seabirdsin flight. Possessing vitality and rhythmic movement, thesculpture culminates in an inspirational reach for the sky.Lenton Parr (1924 - 2003) was the Dean of Arts and Director ofthe Victoria College of the Arts through the 1970s and 1980s. Hebegan his sculptural career as an assistant to the renowned Britishsculptor Henry Moore and was one of Australia’s most celebratedsculptural artists noted particularly for his works in welded steel.artist unknownStatue of Greek Woman, 1924Pacific Point Building, Sydney RoadThis statue was erected in honour of Manly’s 1924 Paris OlympicGold Medallists Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton, Dick Eve and Nick Winter.It depicts a Greek maiden with laurel leaves on her head. Thisbuilding was once the Britannia cinema which was then renamedthe Olympic in their honour.

art in manlymap reference21public22public art in manlymap referenceartist unknownGargoyles, c.1882carved sandstone wallSydney RoadThese two gargoyles and sandstone wall are all that remain of the1882 residence, Marinella, also known as Dalley’s Castle, built byWilliam Bede Dalley, lawyer and statesman. Dalley only lived therefor about three years. In 1939 the house was demolished and theexisting flats, also named Marinella, were built.Charles Percy Pickering / YoullStone Kangaroo, c.1856carved rockKangaroo Park, Kangaroo StreetThis well known Manly landmark was erected in 1856 as an addedvisitors’ attraction to the area. Commissioned by Henry GilbertSmith, it is believed the statue was carved from natural rock eitherby photographer Charles Pickering or by a stonemason namedYoull who worked on many of the major building projects at thattime, including the Catholic Convent and the Steyne Hotel. In 1879,the land in the vicinity of the kangaroo was transferred to ManlyMunicipal Council and officially proclaimed as a public park eightyears later.The kangaroo was carved as it appears, without ears.

art in manlymap reference23public24public art in manlymap referenceCliff AxelsenShell and Wave, 1988carved sandstone rockMarine ParadeShell and Wave is a tribute to the surf lifesavers from the threeManly branches who carried out 41,000 surf rescues up to 1988.This sculpture was carved by sculptor Cliff Axelsen with theassistance of the 1988 students of Art & Design, Seaforth Collegeof TAFE, as a Bicentennial Project. The design is organic in formcarved out of a rock which fell from the towering cliff above.Cliff Axelsen is an Armidale based sculptor who has worked on anumber of community sculpture projects and Sculpture by the Sea.Alan SomervilleSir Roden Cutler Statue, 2006bronzeOutside Manly Village Primary School, Wentworth StreetManly’s Public Art Walk has been enhanced by the installation ofthe larger than life size bronze sculpture of Sir Roden Cutler. SirArthur Roden Cutler, was born in Manly and attended Manly VillagePublic School. As a soldier in the Australian Army during World WarII he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After his military service, heserved in a number of Australian diplomatic missions and becamethe longest serving Governor in New South Wales.The statue was presented to the people of Australia on the 90thanniversary of his birthday, 24 May 2006.Alan Somerville is a self taught artist who moved to Sydney topursue a full time career as an artist and sculptor with his worksin national, international, public and private collections. He hascreated notable public sculpture works including the bronzeWorld War One Digger on Anzac Bridge, Sydney, Bronze of SirHenry Parkes in Centennial Park Sydney and has sculptures in thecollection of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The recent development of this public artprogram began in 1997 with the signing of thefirst loan agreements with sculptors who agreedto lease their works for a minimum of two yearsto Manly Council. Over the past nine years someof the works have been donated to Council,some have been removed to make way for newones and some have been purchased by thepublic as well as Manly Council.Linking in with Manly Council’s Cultural Policy,the program seeks to support the creation ofnew works which express Manly’s image as avital and interesting place to its residents andvisitors. It encourages the development of adiverse range of public art works such as murals,seating and water features as well as sculptures.It seeks to support and nurture both establishedand emerging artists, strive for artisticexcellence and ensure that existing artworks aremaintained. We will continue to develop andpromote the dialogue and appreciation of publicart in Manly.Therese KenyonDirector, Manly Art Gallery & MuseumManly CouncilThis publication was produced by theManly Council Public Art Committee, August 2006Design by Viona Fung. Photography by Geoff Hirst.Printed on paper containing recycled content