Thursday 19 May 2011

The Rocks, First Impressions, The Settlers

"First Impressions" is a sculpture located in Playfair Street in The Rocks. This sandstone relief was created by Bud Dumas in 1979 as a memorial to the convicts, soldiers and settlers who made up the original settlement at The Rocks. This side of the sculpture features "The Settlers". Australia's first free immigrants landed in Sydney in 1793. This monument also features "The Convict" and "The Soldier".

26 comments:

  1. Very nice sculpture!

    ***
    Have a nice and happy day****

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  2. It is beautifully done. It is always very moving for me to think of those who came so far to a new life.

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  3. I like it as a monument and it may be considered some kind of interesting urban furniture, but to call this a sculpture is to use a lot of goodwill!

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  4. Interesting set of comments, JIm. I struggle with this work, probably for similar reasons. Is a 'negative' a photograph? Can a relief be a sculpture? Mostly, however, I think this 'work' struggles to overcome the crowdedness of its location, overwhelmed as it often is with market stalls. Its subject deserves respect, and is afforded none.

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  5. I'm not going to pick a fight with Julie, but it seems -- from the photograph at least -- a very fine sculpture.

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  6. FWIW (not being an artist) I think it's beautiful and a fitting memorial.

    and -- from way way over here -- it seems like a crowded market place would be a good place for it. So that a lot of people could see it and remember their origins and the struggle of their ancestors. I wouldn't want it somewhere hidden.

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  7. Also, I always did understand that families of debtors and other "convicts" did emigrate.

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  8. EcoRover, the family depicted were free settlers or immigrants. The convicts and soldiers are also depicted on the other sides of this monument.

    VP and Julie, I had no idea that this memorial could be so controversial. :)

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  9. Great piece of art. Makes one wonder whether today's character would fit their courage.

    Please have a good Thursday.

    daily athens

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  10. It looks like a wonderful piece to me - has captured the essence of the first settlers to your land.

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  11. I am glad the sculpture was created from sandstone. That was the perfect material for colonial builders and one that would have been utterly familiar to early settlers.

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  12. Hmmm! not sure Jim, I kind of like it because it IS so different. It's certainly not hard on the eyes as sculptures go.

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  13. Very literal title and, despite the seriousness of the subject, I appreciate the humor in it. I also like the sculpture itself.

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  14. Thanks for your comment on my blog, JBar, and glad you enjoyed the art there - we're so lucky in Brisbane with our 2 state galleries, QAG and GoMA. Hope to post some fantastic art from the 21st Century exhibition soon. Love your photos - a nice reminder of my years living in Sydney a long time ago. I like this sculpture at The Rocks. I wonder what those first settlers would think of Australia if they could see it now?

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  15. I've always rather liked this sculpture. It's a nice part of the city to visit.

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  16. What a fun sculpture! I would have stood up against the cutout for a photo!

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  17. What a clever idea! I really like this.

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  18. so beautiful

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  19. I have not seen thin on before and find ita much more moving sculpture than freestanding figures. It certainly lights up their shadowy pasts.

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  20. Oi, Você tem feito um excelente emprego. Eu vou definitivamente digg- e pessoalmente sugerir para
    meus amigos. Eu sou certeza eles pensarão ser beneficiado com este local .

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