Tuesday 27 September 2011

Parramatta, Sentry Box

This contemporary artwork is located on the Parramatta River foreshore, near the Gasworks Bridge, in the western suburb of Parramatta. “Sentry Box” was created by historian Michael Flynn with artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse in 2009. This 8-metre high sculpture is a reinterpretation of a small wooden sentry box which stood near this location, in the early days of the colony. The red coat soldiers were stationed on the river at the entry to Parramatta where they watched over the river and were responsible for keeping order and disciplining convicts.

31 comments:

  1. Oh, it took me a little while to remember how Australia was first settled. It makes sense to me now. :)

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  2. Coming here makes me think your whole city is one big outdoor art gallery!

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  3. Excellent photo and great post ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy RT ^_^

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  4. Well, that's
    an unusual artwork? Sculptures are important
    for historical reasons.

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  5. What a fun way to revisit history! Great color, too.

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  6. Reader Wil, I thought it was quite unusual when I first saw it too.

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  7. that is an interesting structure. =)

    mine is CLayton and his Red Car for Ruby TUesday

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  8. a great mean to measure time and life. may peace continue to rule. please have you all a good tuesday.

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  9. It is a neat piece of artwork, I like it. Happy Ruby Tuesday!

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  10. What an interesting sentry box. Great shot from your world.

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  11. I agree, it is a fun way to revisit history and how colorful! And, yes, it is indeed different, personally, I like different! Hope you have a great week, Jim!

    Sylvia

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  12. The bars are a rather nice touch. A real memorial to both convicts and soldiers, all of whom were together in this exile.

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  13. Love this. Bet it bears scant resemblance to the the original. I bet the sentries would have had a thankless job, too.

    I am looking for images of the sentry boxes and toll gates that manned the roads out of early Sydney town, especially along Parramatta Road and Old South Head Road. Ever seen any?

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  14. Certainly a tribute to a piece of history, but "disciplining convicts" gives me the shivers.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  15. Julie, I can't recall seeing any sentry boxes or photos of them. It would be good to see some.

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  16. That's a neat structure!

    I hope your daughter enjoys New England.

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  17. What a great modern interpretation of the sentry box!

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  18. Hi there - that's a good thing to have in a public space. Great splash of colour.

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  19. A reminder of Australia's history there! I agree with VioletSky --your City does seem to have an incredible wonderful amount of outdoor art.

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  20. Looks like a candy wrapper

    Pheno

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  21. An interesting idea, they need a larger than life sentry on duty too! Was the original opwn on both sides? It wouldn't give much shelter to the sentry if it was.

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  22. Jackie, quite right. I wouldn't imagine that the original would have been open on both sides.

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  23. Hi! Thanks for visiting.Nice photographic visit. =)

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  24. That`a a special art from your world! Nice

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  25. Love the sculpture -very fitting for the place it stands!

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  26. This sculpture would certainly get your attention as you walked past. The historian collaborating with the artists was a good idea.

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Thanks for visiting my blog. Please leave me a message. Jim.

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