Public Art in Central Christchurch

The Reintroduction of the Fabulous Races

Category: Sculpture Title: The Reintroduction of the Fabulous Races Primary artist(s): Bing Dawe and Noel Gregg Other collaborators: Jim Wallace Foundry / fabricator: Noel Gregg's foundry, Christchurch Execution date: 1990 Media: Steel Approximate dimensions: h2.5m w2.1 (x7) Location: Market Square, Arts Centre Setting: Grass lawn on Market Square, Worcester Boulevard Owner / administrator: Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council

The Christchurch City Council asked for submissions on the design of a children's play sculpture as a component of their plans to revamp the Cathedral Square. Bing Dawe approached Noel Gregg about collaborating on the project. Dawe then designed a draft that was accepted by the Council.

Dawe's concept was for seven connected barriers each representing a figure from the Fabulous Races of Greek Mythology. Each figure imitates an attitude in agreement with the barrier theme. There is the man with the face in his chest (over), Antipode, the woman with her feet on back to front (through), woman with large ears (under), Cynocephalus, the man with the head of a dog (out), woman with six arms (around), Sciapod, the man with one large foot (on), and the Trees Sun and Moon (the forbidden garden).

The designs were translated onto steel that was cut and forged by Noel Gregg. Jim Wallace, director of the American Ornamental Museum at Memphis, Tennessee, was sponsored to come over and assist on the last panel. His contribution was a 'fantastic' flower.

The construction was completed in June 1990. Dawe finished off the sculpture with surface paint in red, green and golds. When the children's play sculpture was ready for installation the concern of where to locate it was raised amongst Council members. Eventually it was decided, and the sculpture was placed in the Square at the opposite corner to the children's area.

Views on the sculpture were polarised even before its installation. However when it was located in the Square the sculpture caused a large controversy. 'Hideous', 'obscene' and 'scrap iron' were just some of the words thrown round. In 1992 The Reintroduction of the Fabulous Races was gifted to the Arts Centre by the Council and resited on the grass lawn of Market Square in the Arts Centre.

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