Photo taken facing west.
The Pathfinder (aka The Hammer Thrower), is a bronze sculpture created by John Edward Robinson in 1974 and stands proudly in the Queen Victoria Gardens. The hammer held by the figure has been stolen several times and duly returned or replaced by another.
About the artist
John Robinson was born in London on 4 May 1935 and died on 6 April 2007. He was evacuated to Australia as a child during WWII to escape the Blitz. Returning to Australia in 1952, he lived in South Australia until his return to England in 1969, where he devoted himself to sculpture full time. His major commissions include four sculptures for the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Gymnast for the New Olympic Museum, Lausanne, and The Pathfinder and Water Children, now with the City of Melbourne.
This shows the garden bed in which The Pathfinder stands.
A bit of trivia
The Pathfinder was initially commissioned by mining giant Conzinc Riotinto (now known as Rio Tinto) which they planned to have on display in their proposed new building, but when it (the building) failed to go ahead, the statue was placed on long-term loan with the City of Melbourne. The Pathfinder was unveiled by Lord Mayor Councillor Whalley in April 1974. Information taken from eMelbourne
Some other works by Robinson
For those interested in art, I have included some of his other works.
Bronze sculpture, 1979 and is 45 x 25 cm.
Brass 1983. Stands 91 cm high.
You can find more of Robinson's works here.
Today's Quote: Sculpture and painting have the effect of teaching us manners and abolishing hurry ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
20 comments:
Wow - great shot of the Pathfinder. Love the sculpture as it's so full of movement and grace.
Wonderful pieces!
Very impressive this Pathfinder sculpture.It brings different feelings inside my heart, dramatic emotions.Wonderful garden as well!
hugs
Léia
The hammer thrower is outstanding, but I don't see the same creativity and skills in the other two objects.
I'm quite sure Emerson would agrre with me...
This is a beautiful garden I'd like to visit one day. The sculptures are great works of art.
That's a very impressive sculpture - quite an athlete!
Traduzione da Italiano verso Inglese
Large sculpture of Robinson pity that the vandals are working to destroy or damage the beautiful things in Rome a rogue some time ago is ruined "longboat" Bernini fountain in Piazza di Spagna in 1500.
P.S. photos you've seen posted on my post were taken during my trip to Edinburgh
Thanks for the info. I see this sculpture often but didn't know anything about it.
It has great balance, shame about the hammer.
He had a wonderful gift.
I love this statue, the artist has got great detail of the Pathfinders muscle definition.
A very versatile artist ;-)
That is quite the sculpture. this work is so different than some of his others.
Beautiful park too. MB
interesting and creative sculptures. ^0^ but i like the 1st one.
it looks like it's about to catch something.
Muy delgado este atleta lanzador de martillo. Un momento muy preciso¡¡¡
Saludos
Great sense of motion! Also like the Bonds of Friendship.
I understand that the hammer is removed each afternoon by council staff and replaces the next morning.
Extraordinary sense of energy in this sculpture! It really represents some creative inspiration and a wonderful feature in the gardens!
Maybe it was when the hammer was stolen that he wrote the song, "If I Had A Hammer"? No?
Dramatic sculpture. Beautiful garden.
Enjoyed your comment re: the piano store. In fact, we bought the piano pictured! It's wonderful. Now, if only I could play it! ;-)
I'm not sure my comment went through so if this is a duplicate, please delete.
Perhaps it was one of those times when the hammer was stolen that the thrower wrote the song, "If I Had A Hammer"? No?
I like the sculpture - very dramatic! And it's a beautiful garden.
Thanks for your comment re the piano...in fact, we bought the piano pictured. Now if I could only learn to play it! ;-)
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