Public Art when you don’t expect it.

The Arboretum, in Canberra, features both expected art and the unexpected.

Given that it is place of trees, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised to find a bonsai pavillion, artfully arranged.

The main building is architecturally beautiful, right from the walkway to the entrance, featuring metal plates depicting flora.

A playground, appearing as a gumnut sculpture, was well-attended.

On the way to the Himalayan Cedar forest, we saw this eye-catching sculpture, but I couldn’t find the creator’s name, anywhere. As you can see, I circled it, looking. Later, a Google search revealed that :

This sculpture, A Backwards Attitude, represents a pivotal point in technology, its effects on our lives, and our need to recognise that.  The work asserts that the entire world is available for digital consumption. By Louis Pratt, Cold cast aluminium, steel and fibreglass. _{https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/visit/forest-sculpture-gallery}

We sat to eat our lunch at wide brown land, an artwork by Marcus Tatton, Futago and Chris Viney, celebrating Dorothea Mackellor’s famous Australian poem, My Country, written in 1908. The piece was inspired by her cursive handwriting and is made of Corten steel plate and cold bent steel rod.

With over 100 forests and a multitude of walks, the Arboretum provided more than we anticipated.

The interior of the main building has high exposed beams and large windows expose sweeping views that can be enjoyed while you appreciate the cafe fare, after visiting the display tables and gift shop.

if you’re in Canberra, put it on your itinerary.