John F. Kennedy Memorial

Raymond B. Ewers was commissioned to create a portrait of the assassinated former US President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). The bronze bas-relief sculpture was set in a granite boulder and placed in a specially designed and created Japanese Garden at Treasury Gardens, Spring Street, Melbourne. The memorial was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne on 25 March 1965.

Beyond The Ocean of Existence

Created by Loretta Quinn in 1993, the patinated bronze sculpture 'Beyond The Ocean of Existence' was commissioned by the City of Melbourne as part of the Swanston Street redevelopment. The sculpture was located at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne, but is currently in storage due to the construction of the new Metro Rail project.

Positioned on a granite plinth, several vertically positioned coils surround a large globe base. From this base a smaller globe and pillar emerge and a stylised angel with out-stretched wings stands on top. The smaller globe's surface is covered in coils which then transcends up the pillar taking your view to the angel at the top of the sculpture.

The coils surrounding base of the sculpture look like roots about to unfurl and the ascending coils have the energy of growth and expansion similar to the large established trees nearby.

Mother and Daughter

Commissioned by the City of Richmond 'Mother and Daughter' was created in 1994 by Mary Perrott Stimson. The bronze and rendered brick sculpture is located at the corner of Punt Road and Bridge Road, Richmond at the site of former cable tram depot. 

The sculpture's plaque states "mother and daughter walk proudly through history from the caves of ancient Africa across continents, oceans and deserts into Richmond".

Windhover

Commissioned by Bayside City Council and located long the Sandringham foreshore 'Windhover', the abstract ribbon-like steel sculpture was created by Lenton Parr, a Sandringham local, in 2001.

Lenton describes 'Windhover' as an abstract sculpture which "for me embodies some spirit of the locality, a suggestion of aspirational ideals and of flight against the wind. The title derives from a well-loved poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)."

The Storyteller

Rachel Boymal's 2013 'The Storyteller' sits at the forecourt of Collins Place, 35-55 Collins Street, Melbourne and was commissioned by AMP.

Rachel is quoted as saying the bronze sculpture "...seeks to stimulate and engage with the people who work and socialise in the vicinity."

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. 

Shearwater

Created by German born Australian sculptor Inge King, 'Shearwater' was commissioned in 1994 by Esso Australia and installed 1995 along the Southbank Promenade, Southbank.

The stylised polychrome steel bird was inspired by bird watching during her Northern Territory visits. It was created during the period of time where her technique involved using cut paper and/or balsa wood pieces, and assembling them into an arrangement which was then upscaled into a final design created in cut steel or cast in bronze. 

'Shearwater' has been constructed from cut steel and coated with synthetic polymer in black along with thoughtful touches of primary colours (red and blue) to highlight features.

To me, Inge King has captured the moment when the Australian sea bird is poised with anticipation waiting for the wind to increase so that it can take flight and begin its oceanic gliding journey.