Public Art in Perth 2

Following from my previous post,  here are a few more wonderful works of art from Perth's streets.

Ascalon - St George's Cathedral, St George's Terrace. 

On St. George's Terrace, in front of  St. George's Cathedral we find a modern interpretation of St George and the dragon, with a 18mt high cape like structure around a lance.
It was unveiled in 2011 by the Lord Mayor of Perth (Lisa Scaffidi) to celebrate the completion of the Cathedral's forecourt.

The statue was done by Perth artists Marcus Canning and Christian de Vietri, who won the commission having competed with 98 other artists from 17 countries.
The work was possible due to a generous donation to the Cathedral Arts Foundation, of $500,000 donation by Mark Creasy, a wealthy Perth prospector. 

Ascalon in front of  St. George's Cathedral

In this photo taken from the top of  City Council building, "Ascalon" can be seen on the left, and to the right of the pine tree you can see the "Ore Obelisk" and the "Kangaroos on the Terrace" by the pond (photos on the previous post).

The Unidentified Photographer -  at the end of St George's Terrace (East side), near Barrack's Arch. (Crn Barrack and Elder Street).

Sculpted by Anne Neil in collaboration with Greg James, in 1996, this life size bronze statue holds a Box brownie camera and photographic plates, and the bag at his feet has various professional tools symbolic of the professionals that once worked on the Terrace.

Through the Barracks Arch, you can see St. George's Terrace (the street ahead) and the statue of the Unidentified Photographer, is to the left, where that grassed area is.
The Arch is all that remains of the former Pensioner's Barrack built in 1863. The building was demolished in 1966 to make way for the Mitchell Freeway (this side of the arch) and so that the newly built Parliament House would have a clear view down St. George's Terrace.

Sir Charles Court - St George's Terrace, near Parliament House

The statue of Sir Charles Court, was unveiled on 29th September 2011,  on what would have been his 100th birthday (he died in 2007).

He was a member of the Western Australian parliament for 29 years until 1982, and was the Premier from 1974 to 1982. Was responsible for the mining boom in W.A. and a strong advocate for the right of the W.A. State to manage it's own affairs. He also made some controversial decisions such as the closing of the railway service between Perth and Fremantle and was involved in land right disputes with Indigenous communities. 
The statue weighs 150kgs, and sits on top of a weather resistant steel platform, and was sculpted by Tony Jones.

Here you can see the statue of Sir Charles Court and in the background to the right is the "State War Memorial" in Kings Park (Botanic gardens).

Percy Button - Hay Street Mall (city centre)

A bronze statue of English born Percy Button , who emigrated to Western Australia in 1910.  He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, and fought in World War I, but was later discharge home.

He was a street artist in the 1920's - 1940's, well know for performing somersaults from a standing start, in this very street. This street was at the time full of theatres and cinema houses, and the delighted crowds would throw him pennies.

He died in 1954.

The statue was designed by husband and wife team Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith.

Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Perth's statues and I'll be back with more soon...