Parramatta Square bus and eel artworks spark opinion

Two sculptures worth $4 million have yet to be unveiled in Parramatta but are already dividing opinion. Find out why.

An upside down bus and two 8m eels have been branded a waste of space and money by critics while supporters have labelled it a good reflection of Parramatta.

The replica bus, Place of the Eels, has started to be installed in the domain of the $3.2 billion Parramatta Square redevelopment and is a nod to the mighty football team’s golden era of the 1980s when coach Jack Gibson would gather his charges in the Leyland Worldmaster bus.

Legends including Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Peter Wynn and Ray Price would converge on the unconventional office for team meetings near Granville Park after fans torched Cumberland Oval to mark Parramatta’s first premiership in 1981.

Artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro have created the 8m tall aluminium replica Leyland Worldmaster toy bus using 3D scanning with more than 40 people and 6500 hours spent creating moulds, casting and finishing the pieces so they fit together.

The bus will be parked nose-up in the square’s public domain, which Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis anticipated would be an “eye-catching and larger-than-life” landmark.

“It will inspire conversations and help connect the past and the present by showcasing and celebrating some of our city’s lesser known stories and intriguing characters,’’ she said.

Cement footings have been poured and more than 7.6 tonnes of steel and aluminium have been cast, moulded and welded to form the sculpture.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer is among its critics and slammed the sculpture for squandering too much space for major events.

“I don’t mind the idea, being a Parramatta supporter, from that point of view, but does it have to be Parramatta Square?” he said.

“Surely we can better use the area within Parramatta Square than clogging up the valuable public space with this large bus taking up key space in the square.’’

The ex-councillor acknowledged that he endorsed it while he was mayor because the council supported the bus but labelled it unattractive and rates poorly spent.

“The high cost of this bus sculpture can be better utilised to provide greater priority needs of Parramatta LGA residents,’’ he said.

Where Eels Lie Down will sit outside the Town Hall.

But Steven Issa, who succeeded Mr Dwyer as the mayor but is no longer on the council, was on a committee that selected the art work, which also features Reko Rennie’s Where Eels Lie Down. The artwork features two 8m eels crafted from granite and aluminium rising from the ground and crossing each other as they play.

“To create great cities, they need to be balanced between not only liveable space, transport and housing and commercial infrastructure, but also complemented by great arts and cultural pieces,’’ he said.

“Great art is polarising but what is certain is it’s got people talking and that is one of the objectives of it. I’m certain people will be coming to take selfies with the bus at Parramatta. If people are talking about it, it’s done its job.’’

Lidcombe mum Madalane Chu likes the look of the bus and does not mind the price tag.

“I think it’s relevant to Parramatta and it will add to the atmosphere here,’’ she said.

“It’s a bit steep but art is always expensive, I suppose, and there’s development going on in Parramatta anyway.’’

Madalane Chu supports public art.

Merrylands university student Sonny Utama said the bus reflected Parramatta.

“Five million dollars is not pennies, it’s a lot,’’ the Western Sydney University cyber security student said.

“But then again, Parramatta’s changing. I understand the way they’re going towards but if it reflects the culture, that’s cool.’’

Sonny Utama comments about public art planned for Parramatta Square.

Parramatta great Peter Wynn does not have a preference of where the artwork is perched.

For him, it just evokes fond “great memories” and where coach Gibson would command players’ attention.

“When he got on that bus his mere presence annulled any conversations,’’ he said.

“If you got picked on that bus, you were picked at the highest level.

“I look to the bus as a representation of a successful rugby league team, a successful area which had a huge support base for people who lived in the Parramatta area. There’s something special about the bus.’’

The bus also pays homage to local legends William Francis King — known as the Flying Pieman – who would run between Sydney and Parramatta to sell his baked goods and Rosie Bint Broheen, the first Lebanese migrant to buy property in Parramatta.

Parramatta coach Jack Gibson (far left) gives instructions to his players ahead of the 1983 grand final, which they won 18-6 against Manly. Picture: Peter Kurnik

The historic Parramatta Girls’ Industrial School, in the Parramatta North heritage precinct, is recognised through a set of Roman numerals on the bus. The numerals represent the coded messages the girls used to communicate with each other while institutionalised at the school.

Urban Art Projects in Brisbane is moulding the sculpture, which has mirror-like material to reflect the people of Parramatta.

The bus is likely to be completed towards the end of the year.

MORE NEWS

Neighbourhood shops: Iron St, North Parramatta

Monopoly board game to release Parramatta edition