This is week 7 of PPAC already, almost two months. My co-host Cee Neuner and I have been thrilled at the response from this photo challenge. It gives us a chance to experience the heart of the world through Public Art. I wanted to combine this week’s post with #Tree Squares so I don’t miss a single day of July.
Public art is encompasses any form of art you see in a public place, large or small, statues, murals, graffiti, gardens, parks, etc. The art should be visible from streets, sidewalks or outdoor public places.
Featured Bloggers
Last Friday, Cee had a marvelous response from all of you during #PPAC #6. This week I get to choose the posts really grabbed my attention. They are all worthy of a second or third look. Next week Cee will choose the PPAC Featured Bloggers from my participants this week.
Australia Trip #20 Public Art for Kids and Fun Adults
Four years ago I traveled from California to Australia on my own to meet two of my blogging friends, Carol, the Eternal Traveller from Queensland and Leanne Cole from Melbourne who gave me several online photography lessons, and my first taste of the Australia accent.
On day three Carol and I focused on Melbourne’s parks. Here we found a two examples of public art that honored children.
The Fairies’ Tree
As we walk around the red gum tree in Fitzroy Garden we saw the various characters from the book that most Australians grew up with. A few of the pictures I kept in their original shape rather than cutting off more figures.
She used the tree’s natural nooks and crannies to carve out the spiders, gnomes, ducks, birds, fairies, koalas, flying foxes, a donkey and other critters. See what creatures you find as we go around the tree. I particularly loved this spider web.
Cohn carved the tree after the tree had died, so in 1977 the tree was dug up and treated, rotten wood removed and restorers reset it on a concrete base.
The Fairies’ Tree Carved by Ola Cohn, M.B.E., A.R.C.A. from 1931-1934. (The book was published in 1932). Forward from her book, “The Fairies’ Tree
“‘I have carved a tree in the Fitzroy Gardens for you and the Fairies, but mostly for the fairies and those who believe in them. For they will understand how necessary it is to have a fairy sanctuary – a place that is sacred and safe. A home should be to all living creatures.
Therefore I dedicate this book to children and fairies as it is to them I owe my inspiration.”
Ola Cohn
Melbourne, 23rd May, 1932.
Mr. Lizard and Gumnut Baby from Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
I think Carol must have researched for months before we visited Melbourn because she knew every little spot she thought that I would enjoy as a retired elementary teacher.
The statue, located outside the State Library of Victoria, features Snugglepot riding Mr. Lizard. I haven’t read the story, by May Gibbs, but according to sources who have, Mr. Lizard is a Goanna and a friend to all the babies, who have enemies in the Australian bush.
Mr. Lizard and Gumnut Baby from Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
May Gibbs, author and illustrator, 1877-1969
Smiley Williams, sculptor born 1947
Cast at Artworks in Bronze in 1998 Scholastic Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection Copyright The Spastic Gen. of NSW (now the Cerebral Palsy Alliance)
State Library of Victoria
I am also submitting this post to Natalie the Explorer’s Coffee Share this week.
Have fun spotting public art this week. Cee and I love all the wonderful varieties of art that you are finding.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
135 responses to “#PPAC #7: A Day Carved Out for Kids”
[…] Photographing Public Art Challenge #7Pull Up a Seat […]
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Thanks, Irene. He’s perfect!
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[…] Butterfly – Photo Credit Share and Connect – Photo Credit Ramya Tantry Legend about Giants by Natalia Rak. Bialystok, Poland – Photo Credit Street Art Utopia Sculpture in China – Photo Credit XingfulMama Kopakonan by Hans Pauli Olsen. Mikladalur, Kalsoy – Photo Credit Le Drake Noir My Sister’s Garden by over 100 homeless women. Baltimore, Maryland – Photo Credit Zoolatry La Sagrada Familia Door by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona, Spain – Photo Credit Travel Words Sunflower – Photo Credit Cee Neuner The Fairies’ Tree by Ola Cohn, M. B. E., A. R. C. A. Photo Credit Marsha Ingrao […]
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[…] These Gardens are part of a much larger area of Gardens including the Fitzroy Gardens with the Fairy Tree and the Miniature Tudor Village. The Gardens were laid out in 1867 by naturalist, Clement […]
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[…] the picture below you can see the Fairy Tree on the lower left side. From this perspective you can tell how tall the carvings went up the tree […]
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[…] #PPAC 7 continues until Friday. Link your post about public art to Cee’s or my post each week. This is my week. […]
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[…] PPAChallenge:…Week-7 […]
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[…] as peeks through the fence at extraordinary carvings and gnomes swinging in a […]
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[…] #PPAC 8 continues until Friday. Link your post about public art to Cee’s or my post each week. Today starts Cee’s week […]
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The tree sculpture is nice. I know you mentioned it is not alive — I’m curious how tall it is.
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[…] #PPAC7 […]
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[…] Fairy tree. (Keep scrolling.) […]
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Here is MamaCourmier’s entry for the week.
https://mamacormier.com/2021/08/05/photographing-public-art-challenge-and-monday-murals/
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Thanks, Cee!
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[…] #PPAC 7 continues until Friday. Link your post about public art to Cee’s or my post each week. This is my week. […]
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[…] afternoon, for Photographing Public Art Challenge […]
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[…] #PPAC 7 continues until Friday. Link your post about public art to Cee’s or my post each week. This is my week. […]
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[…] Here is my entry for this week’s PPAC #7: […]
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Fabulous, thanks for the link, Amy!
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Here is Kanlaons entry.
https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2021/07/29/photographing-public-art-challenge-ppac-4/
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Thanks, Cee. Got it. 🤗🤗🤗
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Here is Carol of Light Words entry.
https://lightwords.blog/2021/08/03/ppac-west-berkeley-mural/
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Thanks fir the link. Love your post this week!
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