Mel Austen, Kylie Brown and Margaret Pritchard try out the new sculpture.
Camera IconMel Austen, Kylie Brown and Margaret Pritchard try out the new sculpture. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson d463976

Artist hopes his sculpture on Archer Street, Carlisle, will be functional and vibrant

Aaron CorlettSouthern Gazette

NIC Compton hopes his sculpture on Archer Street in Carlisle will not only be functional but also add vibrancy to the area.

The Northam artist’s jarrah log seat was installed just before Christmas and has received positive comments from businesses and residents.

Mr Compton said he was inspired by nature when he created the sculpture.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“It was based on seedpods and plant forms, which I thought was fitting because it’s outside a florist,” he said.

“I was inspired by German art teacher Karl Blossfeldt, who took photos of plants, weeds and made ordinary things look extraordinary.

“The Town of Victoria Park approached me about putting a proposal together and I made a model before making the real thing.”

Mr Compton said the jarrah log came from a farm near Parkerville and he brought it back to his studio.

“It was a fallen tree on a piece of land that is set to be turned into an estate, so I think it would have been destroyed anyway,” he said.

“It took me eight months to create it. I used a chainsaw to cut slabs off and then I used various hand tools.”

Mr Compton said he had received positive feedback since the sculpture was installed.

“I hope it draws attention to the area and adds interest for people,” he said.

“There are a number of food outlets around there, so hopefully people can take a seat and enjoy their pie.”