Public sculptures
Man Dog Boat
Created by Henry Smith. Fibreglass, wood, stainless steel, aluminium (1995). This sculpture is the initial and most prominent piece of public art that guides visitors into the precinct. The composition of the piece makes reference to our unique location and many of the stakeholders that are represented in the Gasworks community. Man, Dog, Boat is a sculpture of a man and dog in a small boat mounted on a wooden pole. Whilst the boat appears to be made from a light-coloured wood, it is in fact made of fibreglass, then painted a yellow ochre with strokes of blue and red. Man, Dog, Boat is located at the Graham and Pickles Street corner.
The Angel
Created by Sione Francis. Found timber, fabric (1992). The Angel is considered the guardian angel of Gasworks. This sculpture is a focal point of educational tours, where peaceful blessings from the angel are encouraged and shared. The Angel is located on the rear outside wall of the Gasworks Theatre, facing the Park. At the centre of the sculpture is an empty white dress and to either side of the dress are wings. The wings are made of untreated overlapping semi-vertical pieces of wood. The empty dress is mounted on a wooden support.
Midden
Created by Matthew Harding. Victorian bluestone (2008). Carved in the Gasworks sculpture studio, the shapes of Midden reflect the industrial, cultural and ecological heritage of the Gasworks Arts Park site, providing a theatrical backdrop to the daily life of the park. This work is a gift from the community through the Gasworks Foundation Patrons’ Fund and is located in the central park.
Tour of the 'Burbs': Doncaster Epic, Site, Post Modern Triumph
Created by Cliff Burtt. Steel (1998). This sculpture series consists of three steel sculptures which convey a postmodernist urban statement within Gasworks parkland. The series represents the convergence of forest parkland in a historical setting and the contemporary artistic ventures that enable Gasworks to engage a diverse range of urban communities. Steel is located in the forest trail area of Gasworks Park near the barbeques and each structure measures 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.3 metres.
Not Without Chomley
Created by Anne Ross. Cast Bronze (1991). Not without Chomley guards the Richardson Street entrance of Gasworks Arts Park. This sculpture purveys a strong narrative statement about man’s best friend. The sculpture is made of two main pieces – one human figure with dog on shoulder and a second piece of a dog standing.The canine figure being lifted above the man’s head is an acknowledgment of dogs and their owners as important Gasworks stakeholders and the value they bring to our community. This was the first public sculpture installed in the park. It was purchased in 1991 by the mayor from the first Gasworks sculpture exhibition as a gift to the people of South Melbourne. This was a revolutionary moment as such a gift had never before been chosen for this purpose. At the time it was made of cement fondu, a fragile material but all that the artist could afford. One night it was smashed to pieces with a sledge hammer. For a while, there was a stunned sense of helplessness. Then slowly it became clear that there was considerable anger and distress about the vandalism in the local community. As a result, council felt prompted and empowered to have it recast in bronze - at a price far higher than the original purchase cost. This was the beginning of the Gasworks public sculpture collection. The care and concern expressed by the local community for the protection and promotion of the arts was pivotal and this dynamic continues to this day.