Artist Peter Kingston set to be honoured by North Sydney Council

THE Lavender Bay boardwalk is set to be named after artist Peter Kingston in honour of his contribution to Australian art.

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ARTIST Peter Kingston is set to be honoured by the North Sydney community.

The council has proposed renaming the scenic Lavender Bay boardwalk after him in tribute to his contribution to Australian art.

“I’m very honoured, particularly because residents have wanted it,” he said. “It’s a lovely honour. It means if you Google it, it will come up.”

Kingston’s sculptures of classic Australian cartoon characters line the boardwalk and are popular with children and adults alike.

They are bronze recreations of characters created by artists May Gibbs, Dorothy Wall and Norman Lindsay.

Mr Lizard, Blinky Bill and Boofhead are among the ten creatures that peek out from between the leaves on their small plinths along the waterfront.

Kingston’s nephew Clary Akon made two of the sculptures, and a tribute to the children who died in the Ghost Train fire by Michael Leunig marks the end of the walk.

Kingston’s works were created over a span of 10 years and he was touched by the public’s reaction.

“My main motivation for doing it was my own peace of mind and because I work inside it was nice to have a project,” he said.

“I’m always interested in environmental causes, leaving stuff for the future. All the kids sort of liked it. It was quite touching in a way.”

Kingston, who lives nearby, can often be found caring for the plants along the harbourside walk and has set many of the trees himself.

He sees the naming of the boardwalk as a tribute to his father, Percy Kingston.

“It’s honouring my father’s name,” he said.

Mayor Jilly Gibson brought forward the proposal at the latest council meeting.

It was given in-principal support by the councillors and is expected to be formalised at the next council meeting.

“Peter is the quintessential Lavender Bay artist in residence,” she said.

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