Perth joins only six other cities to get their own spaceman
Perth will join only six other cities across the globe to have their very own personalised BOONJI Spaceman, which was made exclusively for the city by contemporary artist Brendan Murphy.
'BOONJI Spaceman sculptures are each uniquely crafted to reflect their setting, and the Perth installation is no exception — this work stands alone in its design and intent, created to inspire wonder, spark imagination, and enrich the cultural fabric of the city with a symbol of limitless potential,' Murphy said.
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He has donated the statue to the city, which has budgeted $250,000 for its transportation and installation. Brendan Murphy standing next to another one of his Spaceman sculptures. Credit: Jaramay Aref Photography
The installation comes just in time for Murphy's 'blockbuster' Australian solo exhibition set to hit Perth at the end of May.
The 'larger than life' sculpture titled Lightening will be unveiled to the public in May just ahead of the exhibition's opening.
The exhibition will be held at Gullotti Galleries in Cottesloe and will showcase more than 45 artworks including sculptures and paintings, with Murphy travelling to Perth from his studio in Florida to add finishing touches and to meet art lovers.
The Life Is Electric exhibition will feature a range of large sculptures, including A Step Forward, The Sitting Spaceman, The Thinking Spaceman, The Dancing Spaceman and Loolee Bear. One of Murphy's collectables - Loolee Bear. Credit: Devahasdin
Gullotti Galleries founder and director Paul Gullotti said BOONJI was a gift for all West Australians.
'Once it is unveiled it belongs to the people. This incredible sculpture has been custom-made for Perth and truly reflects my passion to provide West Australians access to inspiring and talented global artists and I hope it ignites artistic passion in people of all ages,' he said.
'I can't wait to welcome Brendan here as I have done with other talented and inspirational global artists like Mr Brainwash, Russel Young, Robert Mars and David Uessum.
'It will give the people of Perth a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the artist and his accompanying Life Is Electric exhibition offers people the chance to secure a piece of something that is entrenched in Perth's history.'
The BOONJI Spaceman will be at the Stirling Gardens for 12 months before moving to its forever home, which is still yet to be confirmed by the City of Perth.
Murphy's art can be found in museums and galleries across the world, with notable collectors being Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Larry Page, Warren Buffett, Ryan Gosling and Grant Cardone.
The Spaceman will be replacing 'Ore Obelisk', was also known as the 'Kebab', which stood out the front of Council House for almost 50 years but was removed in 2021 due to safety reasons, which caused significant outcries from residents. The removal of Ore Obelisk in 2021. Credit: City of Perth
A peaceful protest picnic calling on the City of Perth to reinstate the Ore Obelisk and 'protect art legacy' is planned at the Stirling Gardens between from 11am to 1pm on Friday, May 9.
Life is Electric will be open to the public for eight weeks from May 23.
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Eddie Murphy comedy The Pickup OK for 'brain off' viewing
Eddie Murphy's career of late has been strictly streaming fare - and that's been reflected in the quality. Not to say that films that actually hit the cinema are always going to be better than those on the small screen, but generally there's a ceiling of quality for a streaming film, and it's going to be reached more quickly than the big-screen ceiling. His latest venture, a buddy (sorta) cop comedy with Pete Davidson, is of fine to middling quality. The jokes are obvious but occasionally draw a chuckle, the action is largely forgettable, and the characters aren't well-rounded enough to be memorable. The Pickup makes for adequate "brain off" viewing. It's super easy to watch while you're scrolling on your phone, and is amusing enough to sustain you for the runtime. There's nothing so terrible that you'll get overly bored or want to turn it off, but you won't be actively recommending it to anyone either. The film follows two armoured truck workers, Russell Pierce (Murphy) and Travis Stolly (Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island) as they attempt to make their day's rounds in record time so Russell can get home to celebrate his anniversary with wife Natalie (Eva Longoria in her second Prime Video release in as many weeks, following the utterly atrocious War of the Worlds). But along the way they find themselves being pursued by a crew of criminals led by Zoe (Keke Palmer, Hustlers) while they're conveniently in a service dead-zone. But what Russell doesn't know is that Travis already knows Zoe. He'd met her a few days earlier and they'd spent the weekend together, the driver becoming the thief's unwitting inside man. A good portion of the film is dedicated to the pursuit, with the criminal crew chasing down the truck along a stretch of highway. Some of this action is decent, and shot with a little bit of flair. There's a lull in the action for a while after that, before the climax rolls around full of speed, danger and explosions. The Pickup makes Murphy's Russell the straight man to Davidson's over-the-top Travis. We're used to seeing Murphy be the more boisterous half of a movie pairing, but that's certainly not the case here. Davidson plays pretty much the same character he's played in everything thus far, a dopey but nonetheless likeable dude who bumbles his way around. Palmer, however, is easily the best part of the film. The moment she arrives on screen she commands your attention. She has an incredibly watchable quality and generally elevates everything she appears in. Longoria provides some decent laughs in her supporting role, and her addition to the final act helps to give the film a little more spark as it careers towards the end. Director Tim Story (who has helmed films like the 2005 Fantastic Four, Ride Along and 2023 Christmas streamer Dashing Through the Snow) and screenwriters Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider have managed to include some sly references to their stars' careers which are a nice touch. At one point Travis starts to play The Pointer Sisters' The Neutron Dance (a song most associated with Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop) in their truck and cops a stern look from Russell, while later on Zoe encounters prominent graffiti reading 'NOPE', the title of one of Palmer's most famous films. While there are worse ways to spend a lazy hour-and-a-half (notably, the previously mentioned War of the Worlds with Longoria and Ice Cube - steer well clear), there are also plenty of other movies more worthy of your time. Every star of The Pickup certainly has poorer films in their history. Eddie Murphy's career of late has been strictly streaming fare - and that's been reflected in the quality. Not to say that films that actually hit the cinema are always going to be better than those on the small screen, but generally there's a ceiling of quality for a streaming film, and it's going to be reached more quickly than the big-screen ceiling. His latest venture, a buddy (sorta) cop comedy with Pete Davidson, is of fine to middling quality. The jokes are obvious but occasionally draw a chuckle, the action is largely forgettable, and the characters aren't well-rounded enough to be memorable. The Pickup makes for adequate "brain off" viewing. It's super easy to watch while you're scrolling on your phone, and is amusing enough to sustain you for the runtime. There's nothing so terrible that you'll get overly bored or want to turn it off, but you won't be actively recommending it to anyone either. The film follows two armoured truck workers, Russell Pierce (Murphy) and Travis Stolly (Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island) as they attempt to make their day's rounds in record time so Russell can get home to celebrate his anniversary with wife Natalie (Eva Longoria in her second Prime Video release in as many weeks, following the utterly atrocious War of the Worlds). But along the way they find themselves being pursued by a crew of criminals led by Zoe (Keke Palmer, Hustlers) while they're conveniently in a service dead-zone. But what Russell doesn't know is that Travis already knows Zoe. He'd met her a few days earlier and they'd spent the weekend together, the driver becoming the thief's unwitting inside man. A good portion of the film is dedicated to the pursuit, with the criminal crew chasing down the truck along a stretch of highway. Some of this action is decent, and shot with a little bit of flair. There's a lull in the action for a while after that, before the climax rolls around full of speed, danger and explosions. The Pickup makes Murphy's Russell the straight man to Davidson's over-the-top Travis. We're used to seeing Murphy be the more boisterous half of a movie pairing, but that's certainly not the case here. Davidson plays pretty much the same character he's played in everything thus far, a dopey but nonetheless likeable dude who bumbles his way around. Palmer, however, is easily the best part of the film. The moment she arrives on screen she commands your attention. She has an incredibly watchable quality and generally elevates everything she appears in. Longoria provides some decent laughs in her supporting role, and her addition to the final act helps to give the film a little more spark as it careers towards the end. Director Tim Story (who has helmed films like the 2005 Fantastic Four, Ride Along and 2023 Christmas streamer Dashing Through the Snow) and screenwriters Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider have managed to include some sly references to their stars' careers which are a nice touch. At one point Travis starts to play The Pointer Sisters' The Neutron Dance (a song most associated with Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop) in their truck and cops a stern look from Russell, while later on Zoe encounters prominent graffiti reading 'NOPE', the title of one of Palmer's most famous films. While there are worse ways to spend a lazy hour-and-a-half (notably, the previously mentioned War of the Worlds with Longoria and Ice Cube - steer well clear), there are also plenty of other movies more worthy of your time. Every star of The Pickup certainly has poorer films in their history. Eddie Murphy's career of late has been strictly streaming fare - and that's been reflected in the quality. Not to say that films that actually hit the cinema are always going to be better than those on the small screen, but generally there's a ceiling of quality for a streaming film, and it's going to be reached more quickly than the big-screen ceiling. His latest venture, a buddy (sorta) cop comedy with Pete Davidson, is of fine to middling quality. The jokes are obvious but occasionally draw a chuckle, the action is largely forgettable, and the characters aren't well-rounded enough to be memorable. The Pickup makes for adequate "brain off" viewing. It's super easy to watch while you're scrolling on your phone, and is amusing enough to sustain you for the runtime. There's nothing so terrible that you'll get overly bored or want to turn it off, but you won't be actively recommending it to anyone either. The film follows two armoured truck workers, Russell Pierce (Murphy) and Travis Stolly (Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island) as they attempt to make their day's rounds in record time so Russell can get home to celebrate his anniversary with wife Natalie (Eva Longoria in her second Prime Video release in as many weeks, following the utterly atrocious War of the Worlds). But along the way they find themselves being pursued by a crew of criminals led by Zoe (Keke Palmer, Hustlers) while they're conveniently in a service dead-zone. But what Russell doesn't know is that Travis already knows Zoe. He'd met her a few days earlier and they'd spent the weekend together, the driver becoming the thief's unwitting inside man. A good portion of the film is dedicated to the pursuit, with the criminal crew chasing down the truck along a stretch of highway. Some of this action is decent, and shot with a little bit of flair. There's a lull in the action for a while after that, before the climax rolls around full of speed, danger and explosions. The Pickup makes Murphy's Russell the straight man to Davidson's over-the-top Travis. We're used to seeing Murphy be the more boisterous half of a movie pairing, but that's certainly not the case here. Davidson plays pretty much the same character he's played in everything thus far, a dopey but nonetheless likeable dude who bumbles his way around. Palmer, however, is easily the best part of the film. The moment she arrives on screen she commands your attention. She has an incredibly watchable quality and generally elevates everything she appears in. Longoria provides some decent laughs in her supporting role, and her addition to the final act helps to give the film a little more spark as it careers towards the end. Director Tim Story (who has helmed films like the 2005 Fantastic Four, Ride Along and 2023 Christmas streamer Dashing Through the Snow) and screenwriters Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider have managed to include some sly references to their stars' careers which are a nice touch. At one point Travis starts to play The Pointer Sisters' The Neutron Dance (a song most associated with Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop) in their truck and cops a stern look from Russell, while later on Zoe encounters prominent graffiti reading 'NOPE', the title of one of Palmer's most famous films. While there are worse ways to spend a lazy hour-and-a-half (notably, the previously mentioned War of the Worlds with Longoria and Ice Cube - steer well clear), there are also plenty of other movies more worthy of your time. Every star of The Pickup certainly has poorer films in their history. Eddie Murphy's career of late has been strictly streaming fare - and that's been reflected in the quality. Not to say that films that actually hit the cinema are always going to be better than those on the small screen, but generally there's a ceiling of quality for a streaming film, and it's going to be reached more quickly than the big-screen ceiling. His latest venture, a buddy (sorta) cop comedy with Pete Davidson, is of fine to middling quality. The jokes are obvious but occasionally draw a chuckle, the action is largely forgettable, and the characters aren't well-rounded enough to be memorable. The Pickup makes for adequate "brain off" viewing. It's super easy to watch while you're scrolling on your phone, and is amusing enough to sustain you for the runtime. There's nothing so terrible that you'll get overly bored or want to turn it off, but you won't be actively recommending it to anyone either. The film follows two armoured truck workers, Russell Pierce (Murphy) and Travis Stolly (Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island) as they attempt to make their day's rounds in record time so Russell can get home to celebrate his anniversary with wife Natalie (Eva Longoria in her second Prime Video release in as many weeks, following the utterly atrocious War of the Worlds). But along the way they find themselves being pursued by a crew of criminals led by Zoe (Keke Palmer, Hustlers) while they're conveniently in a service dead-zone. But what Russell doesn't know is that Travis already knows Zoe. He'd met her a few days earlier and they'd spent the weekend together, the driver becoming the thief's unwitting inside man. A good portion of the film is dedicated to the pursuit, with the criminal crew chasing down the truck along a stretch of highway. Some of this action is decent, and shot with a little bit of flair. There's a lull in the action for a while after that, before the climax rolls around full of speed, danger and explosions. The Pickup makes Murphy's Russell the straight man to Davidson's over-the-top Travis. We're used to seeing Murphy be the more boisterous half of a movie pairing, but that's certainly not the case here. Davidson plays pretty much the same character he's played in everything thus far, a dopey but nonetheless likeable dude who bumbles his way around. Palmer, however, is easily the best part of the film. The moment she arrives on screen she commands your attention. She has an incredibly watchable quality and generally elevates everything she appears in. Longoria provides some decent laughs in her supporting role, and her addition to the final act helps to give the film a little more spark as it careers towards the end. Director Tim Story (who has helmed films like the 2005 Fantastic Four, Ride Along and 2023 Christmas streamer Dashing Through the Snow) and screenwriters Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider have managed to include some sly references to their stars' careers which are a nice touch. At one point Travis starts to play The Pointer Sisters' The Neutron Dance (a song most associated with Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop) in their truck and cops a stern look from Russell, while later on Zoe encounters prominent graffiti reading 'NOPE', the title of one of Palmer's most famous films. While there are worse ways to spend a lazy hour-and-a-half (notably, the previously mentioned War of the Worlds with Longoria and Ice Cube - steer well clear), there are also plenty of other movies more worthy of your time. Every star of The Pickup certainly has poorer films in their history.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
Shrek 5 release delayed until summer 2027
The release of Shrek 5 has been delayed until summer 2027. The upcoming movie in DreamWorks' animated franchise has been pushed back six months to June 30, 2027, from its previously slated December 2026 opening so it no longer has to compete in a crowded Christmas release season that also features Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part III. Universal has also shifted an untitled Illumination picture from Shrek 5's old date to April 16, 2027. The new Shrek flick will be the first film in the main series since Shrek Forever After was released in 2010 and sees Zendaya join the cast as the titular ogre's daughter Felicia whilst regulars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are back to lend their voices to Shrek, Donkey and Fiona respectively. Murphy has suggested that Shrek 5 will be packed full of comedy just as the preceding films have been. The 64-year-old actor told Extra: "I've recorded some great stuff. You know, we don't get a full script when we do the Shrek movies. We get the dialogue that we're doing for each session. And I know I've been doing some really funny stuff." Eddie explained that he will only get to see his co-stars at the premiere of the movie as all of his voice work for the picture is done alone. He said: "At the end of the movie or when the movie comes out, we see each other at the premiere, but we don't see each other the whole movie. "It's all just you by yourself and a microphone." Meanwhile, Murphy has revealed that Donkey is getting his own standalone film that will begin production in September. Asked if Shrek 5's animation is being worked on now, he told ScreenRant: "No, they're still doing voiceover stuff. We're still in the booth, and literally, we're still doing Shrek. "We start in September on Donkey, we're doing a Donkey one, and that'll be three years from now, but we're about two years into Shrek 5. Still in the booth and about to start Donkey in September." The Beverly Hills Cop star confirmed that Donkey will be getting in his own film in the same way that Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) has previously and that the picture will see him have his "own little story with his dragon wife". Eddie said: "Donkey's going to be like how Puss in Boots had his own movie. "Donkey's going to have his own movie, own little story with his dragon wife and his kids that are half-dragon and half-donkeys. "They've written this funny story. We're doing that, starting that in September." The prospect of Shrek 5 was first discussed by Illumination founder Chris Meledandri in 2023 as he expressed hope of reuniting the original cast for the movie. The film producer told Variety: "We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we've gotten is there's tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return."
The Advertiser
09-08-2025
- The Advertiser
'I'm not motivated by awards,' Eddie Murphy says
Eddie Murphy isn't motivated by accolades - but he'd still love to win an Oscar. The 64-year-old actor has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in hit film franchises like Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek, but insists he's not motivated by awards. The comedian-turned-actor told Sky News: "The movies are timeless, and they're special, so for years and years those movies play and the movies have commercial success. "So you make a lot of money and people love it, so you don't even think about 'I didn't win a trophy!' The response from the people and that the movie has legs, that's the trophy. "You know what I've earned over these years? One day, they'll give me one of those honorary Oscars. When I'm really old. And I'll say thank you so much for this wonderful honour. I'll be old like that and I'll have no teeth. I'm cool with getting my honorary Oscar when I'm 90." Murphy stars alongside Pete Davidson in The Pickup, the new action-comedy movie, and the actor recently claimed that he has "a lot in common" with Davidson. Murphy also revealed that he relished the experience of working with Davidson, a former Saturday Night Live star. Speaking to Extra, Murphy explained: "I was looking forward to working with him. "I was a fan already from SNL, and we have a lot in common now. We both started doing stand-up when we were really young, and we both started Saturday Night Live when we were really young, and we both lost our dads when we were really young. So, we had a lot in common, and he's a new-generation SNL. So, it was exciting. "I love working with SNL alumni. I feel like a kinship to all of them." Davidson is expecting his first child with Elsie Hewitt but Murphy hadn't offered him any parenting advice. The comedy star said: "I didn't give him any parenting advice. "You know, being a parent is kind of, you know, every kid is different ... You kinda just have to go in there and figure it out on your own. The good thing is that nature has wired us to do the right thing. I think it takes more effort to be a bad parent. "If you love your child, you gotta go out of your way to be a bad parent. And doing the right thing just comes natural. So, I didn't give him any advice." Eddie Murphy isn't motivated by accolades - but he'd still love to win an Oscar. The 64-year-old actor has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in hit film franchises like Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek, but insists he's not motivated by awards. The comedian-turned-actor told Sky News: "The movies are timeless, and they're special, so for years and years those movies play and the movies have commercial success. "So you make a lot of money and people love it, so you don't even think about 'I didn't win a trophy!' The response from the people and that the movie has legs, that's the trophy. "You know what I've earned over these years? One day, they'll give me one of those honorary Oscars. When I'm really old. And I'll say thank you so much for this wonderful honour. I'll be old like that and I'll have no teeth. I'm cool with getting my honorary Oscar when I'm 90." Murphy stars alongside Pete Davidson in The Pickup, the new action-comedy movie, and the actor recently claimed that he has "a lot in common" with Davidson. Murphy also revealed that he relished the experience of working with Davidson, a former Saturday Night Live star. Speaking to Extra, Murphy explained: "I was looking forward to working with him. "I was a fan already from SNL, and we have a lot in common now. We both started doing stand-up when we were really young, and we both started Saturday Night Live when we were really young, and we both lost our dads when we were really young. So, we had a lot in common, and he's a new-generation SNL. So, it was exciting. "I love working with SNL alumni. I feel like a kinship to all of them." Davidson is expecting his first child with Elsie Hewitt but Murphy hadn't offered him any parenting advice. The comedy star said: "I didn't give him any parenting advice. "You know, being a parent is kind of, you know, every kid is different ... You kinda just have to go in there and figure it out on your own. The good thing is that nature has wired us to do the right thing. I think it takes more effort to be a bad parent. "If you love your child, you gotta go out of your way to be a bad parent. And doing the right thing just comes natural. So, I didn't give him any advice." Eddie Murphy isn't motivated by accolades - but he'd still love to win an Oscar. The 64-year-old actor has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in hit film franchises like Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek, but insists he's not motivated by awards. The comedian-turned-actor told Sky News: "The movies are timeless, and they're special, so for years and years those movies play and the movies have commercial success. "So you make a lot of money and people love it, so you don't even think about 'I didn't win a trophy!' The response from the people and that the movie has legs, that's the trophy. "You know what I've earned over these years? One day, they'll give me one of those honorary Oscars. When I'm really old. And I'll say thank you so much for this wonderful honour. I'll be old like that and I'll have no teeth. I'm cool with getting my honorary Oscar when I'm 90." Murphy stars alongside Pete Davidson in The Pickup, the new action-comedy movie, and the actor recently claimed that he has "a lot in common" with Davidson. Murphy also revealed that he relished the experience of working with Davidson, a former Saturday Night Live star. Speaking to Extra, Murphy explained: "I was looking forward to working with him. "I was a fan already from SNL, and we have a lot in common now. We both started doing stand-up when we were really young, and we both started Saturday Night Live when we were really young, and we both lost our dads when we were really young. So, we had a lot in common, and he's a new-generation SNL. So, it was exciting. "I love working with SNL alumni. I feel like a kinship to all of them." Davidson is expecting his first child with Elsie Hewitt but Murphy hadn't offered him any parenting advice. The comedy star said: "I didn't give him any parenting advice. "You know, being a parent is kind of, you know, every kid is different ... You kinda just have to go in there and figure it out on your own. The good thing is that nature has wired us to do the right thing. I think it takes more effort to be a bad parent. "If you love your child, you gotta go out of your way to be a bad parent. And doing the right thing just comes natural. So, I didn't give him any advice."
