Standing Tall #37

This giraffe featured a series of strange shapes by artist and graphic designer Ethan Attewell, described in the official souvenir booklet as “curious characters” that “wouldn’t look out of place in a children’s story book.” Because of how they’re painted on the slopes of the giraffe it’s a little hard to discern what they actually are: there are some small green leaves, a blue dolphin-shaped one, and… a few mandarin slices? And I’ve no idea what the red shape is meant to be. Furthermore, there’s also not a lot of them – most of the giraffe is solid white.

To my eyes, they look more alien than whimsical, or maybe a bit like fruit jubes you’d buy in a candy store. The name of the sculpture is Space Wild, so maybe that’s a clue as to what they’re supposed to be. Or perhaps the shapes weren’t made to signify anything at all. They’re just shapes. It’s a rather bemusing giraffe, and I’m not sure what to make of it.

This one was situated in Malvern Park, and unfortunately it was taken down after being vandalized. Luckily, we got to see it before that occurred, and it was repaired later for the auction.