Forever Marilyn

In association with Bendigo Art Gallery's Marilyn Monroe exhibition, which celebrated the life and glamour of the actress, 'Forever Marilyn' was transported from the United States and placed on display at the View Street entrance to Rosalind Park, Bendigo.

Taking inspiration from the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch, Seward Johnson has captured the scene in which Marilyn Monroe's iconic white dress, designed by William Travilla, is billowing as she stands over a subway grate.

The painted stainless steel and aluminium sculpture is an incredible 7.9 metres high. Nothing quite prepares you for the massive scale of the artwork. Surrounded by a tranquil park, historical architecture and modern corporate offices, as well as being placed close to one of Bendigo's busiest intersections, the location of 'Forever Marilyn' creates a very bold juxtaposition yet somehow seems just right. I think Marilyn would have loved this attention grabbing position of her statue.

The display area was buzzing with amazed observers and photographers of all ages. It was interesting to see strangers being so courteous and patient with each other while people took turns to pose in front of the statue and have their picture taken with Marilyn. 

Ophelia

‘Ophelia’ was created in 1992 by Deborah Halpern this popular public artwork has been made using stainless steel, fibreglass and ceramic tiles. Shades of yellow, green, red and blue tile have been layered over the contoured surface to create the mosaic sculpture.

Located near the main entrance along the Southbank Complex the double-faced biomorphic shape provides a burst of colour along the grey paved busy promenade. With an east/west orientation ‘Ophelia’ seems to have one face watching the rising sun, while the other is waiting for the setting sun.

The Genie

'The Genie' is located at Queen Victoria Park, Melbourne. It was commissioned by Melbourne City Council who wanted a children's play sculpture for the park opposite the National Gallery of Victoria. Created in 1973 by Tom Bass, the sculpture was modelled and carved into plaster then cast in bronze.

Tom Bass created a sculpture that he hoped children would interact with. The mythical creature combines a human-like face with a lion's body and bird wings. With stylized curls of fur on its body and feather-like indented shapes on the wings, the rhythmic patterned decoration is a textural delight.

The winged figure is mounted on a slightly raised platform in a pocket of open park land adjacent to busy St Kilda Road. With a location that is distant enough so that the noise of passing traffic becomes obscured, it's like you are stepping into the Genie's domain in which he presides over. He is a grounded, solid creature who cheekily smiles at passers-by.

A concave face with gentle eyes and a friendly grin, the fantastical form is the perfect height for children to crawl underneath, climb, sit and stand on. Its wings curve upwards to create perfect support when you recline upon it's back in the sunshine. The sculpture casts intricate shadow patterns on the ground, and is a source of endless imaginative possibilities.

One important question remains to be answered. Has the genie just landed or is he about to fly away?