Owl artwork alights in Belconnen
Updated
Outgoing Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has unveiled a new public artwork that is taking a bird's-eye view of Canberra's north.
In his final week in the top job, Mr Stanhope revealed the 8 metre fibreglass owl on Belconnen Way at the main entrance to the Belconnen town centre.
The $400,000 artwork, by Melbourne sculptor Bruce Armstrong, is one of the final works commissioned under the highly criticised percentage-for-arts scheme.
Armstrong says he chose the predatory bird because it is traditionally linked to wisdom, and a group of owls is known as a parliament.
"The owl watches quietly over his domain like a guardian spirit or totem," he said.
Mr Stanhope says Belconnen is the perfect spot for the sculpture.
"Belconnen of itself is a community of 90,000 people and until the Public Art Program, we had here in Belconnen one work of public art of significance," he said.
"That's something we should reflect on as we reflect on the place of art, our expressiveness and our commitment to creativity and being a creative city."
Mr Stanhope says public art plays an important role in the community.
"Public art has the ability to touch people in their everyday lives. The Public Art Program offers the opportunity to take art to the people so that art is not only accessible by visiting a gallery," Mr Stanhope said.
"Public art of this scale also sends out the message that Canberra is a culturally vibrant city with a commitment to significantly invest in the arts."
The unveiling is Mr Stanhope's last official engagement as chief minister.
He says there should be a stronger commitment to public art and he is disappointed the public art scheme is not continuing.
"All the great cities of the world are identified by their public art. We still need to have a conversation in Canberra about his," he said.
"I regret that this particular program has been embroiled in the controversy it has. Queensland, Brisbane has a public art program that is just non-controversial and I wish that we Canberrans could actually do the same."
Topics: states-and-territories, sculpture, belconnen-2617, act
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