Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Thursday 2 September 2010

The Painted Poles in City Square

Poles or jousting sticks?
You could be forgiven for mistaking this tall pole of considerable height for a jousting stick reminiscent of the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table!

This sculpture by Indigenous artists Maree Clarke and Sonja Hodge is one of three poles that have been painted with the Rainbow Serpent design and with native Australian animals. The work references Jennifer McCarthy's similar three poles (which I posted about in March) sited outside the State Library of Victoria. The work was part of the Swanston Street Walk Public Art Project and is not considered permanent.

About the artists
Maree Clarke is a Mutti Mutti, Wamba Wamba and Yorta Yorta woman who has been working to revive the Koori art of possum skin cloak-making. Her designs are influenced by the patterns of the landscape and the stories told by her ancestors.

Sonja Hodge is a Mildura-based artist and helped create the Yuyu cloak for the Possum-Skin Cloak project and worn during the opening ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.


Today's Quote: Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures ~ Henry Ward Beecher

10 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

These are fun!

~Cheryl said...

That is one tall pole! I do like the design and learning about the artists.

AB said...

An interesting bit of art, though rather hidden amongst the trees and lamp posts.

Small City Scenes said...

Quite similar to the Native American totem poles. They tell a story of each clan/tribe. MB

Anonymous said...

How very refreshing and hope providing a sight. Please have a good Friday.

daily athens

Balaphoto said...

Great shot, congratulations!!!

Frank, Barcelona

http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Lovely shot. The sky is so blue :)

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

is that a zebra or a tiger fish?

Did you visit Christchurch?

arabesque said...

haha! quite a swirly pole.
very artsy!

Lowell said...

I'm very impressed. And the fact that the city allowed this says something very good about Melbourne.

It's these touches that add to the livability of a place. The pole is gorgeous!

It looks like it's made out of wood but I'm thinking it must be steel.

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.