Artwork New and Old by fishers

Artwork New and Old

Time for a little break from Moorsbus trips, and a few things to catch up on in York. The first is this contrast between new and old art. This shot was taken in Exhibition Square outside the art gallery.

The orange spikey octopus is a recent addition to the art gallery. It is called 'Portico' and is by Steve Messam (finalist, Aesthetica Art Prize) and it is placed above the portico of the Art Gallery.

In the foreground is a statue of the York artist William Etty. Etty is probably the best known York artist, although his work was the subject of controversy when it was created in Victorian times. The statue of him was by G.W. Milburn was unveiled on 1 February 1911. Sadly it has become rather corroded, though the stonework was cleaned quite recently.

The work 'Portico' is quite eye catching in the square, though I don't think it will stand the test of time in the way that the Etty statue has - but perhaps it's purpose is to attract people to the art gallery and it will soon be replaced by another eyecatching feature.

Ian
Great shot
August 3rd, 2022  
I love the juxtaposition of new and old - great theme and capture
August 3rd, 2022  
fascinating work of art. Personally, I like that old as to the new. Yes, there is room for new. Hope they can manage to restore William Etty to original forms and not corrode
fav
August 3rd, 2022  
Wonderful image!
August 3rd, 2022  
Nice contrasts and capture
August 3rd, 2022  
Super contrast between them although I think I prefer old!
August 3rd, 2022  
A super capture.Fav😊
August 3rd, 2022  
That is quite a contrast of old and new. I love the old.
August 3rd, 2022  
Normaly I`m very interresting in modern art, but in this case I preffer the old. Fav.
(The heat has already been here. We`ve a big shortness of water this day`s )
August 3rd, 2022  
Not sure about this sculpture I guess it grows on you!
August 3rd, 2022  
That looks surreal! But what a sight! Fav.
August 3rd, 2022  
Great capture of the old and new
August 4th, 2022  
This is extremely striking in combination
August 4th, 2022  
Very effective in contrasts and catching the light beautifully
August 4th, 2022  
Almost looks like Etty has been crowned by this new sculpture. Just q few steps to the right would have done the job. Beautiful sculpture of William Etty and the Portico is very eye-catching.
August 4th, 2022  
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

I think the two pieces of artwork are serving different purposes, with the Etty statue being a long term memorial, and 'Portico' being a short term eye catcher to draw attention to the art gallery. Sadly Etty is rather badly eroded, so it's life will be rather shorter than it's creators would have hoped. The erosion would be hard to repair without creating a replacement statue.

Ian
August 4th, 2022  
I like it. The Portico looks like a Potentilla, the national flower of South Africa.
August 10th, 2022  
@alfsson

Thank you Paul. I think it is an eye catching idea, especially when seen with the building in shadow.

Ian
August 11th, 2022  
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