Latest news with #BOONJISpaceman
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Huge 7m-tall graffiti covered astronaut unveiled in Perth
The long-awaited BOONJI Spaceman was officially unveiled out the front of the Perth council house this morning, where it will remain for the next year. The 'show stopper' Spaceman was unveiled to the tune of Around the world by Daft Punk at it's temporary home at Perth's Stirling gardens. The 7m-tall blue spaceman, titled Lightning, is covered in graffitied words that former Lord mayor Basil Zempilas said reflected the city. 'Words like ambitious, friendly, beautiful, City of light, are represented.' he said. The Boonji Spaceman artwork at Stirling Gardens. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian Mr Zempilas said that the spaceman was 'hugely impressive' and will be a drawing point for people in Perth. 'People are going to come and have their photos, Instagram this, talk about Perth and push Perth on their own channels,' he said. City of Perth Deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said that the Spaceman pays homage to the Perth City of Light origin story. 'Perth became known as the City of Light following American astronaut John Glenn's historic triple orbit of Earth in 1962, during which Perth residents and businesses left on their lights, shone torches to the sky and lit lanterns to make the city visible in space,' he said. 'BOONJI Spaceman is a tribute to our unique story and will no doubt become another must-see piece in the City of Light,' Cr Reynolds said. Renowned contemporary artist Brendan Murphy, who's based in the United States, donated the sculpture to the city. 'Art is an essential, it's not a luxury its something that brings us together,' he said. 'It's not something that I normally do, I'm not in the business of giving my art away. 'However when Basil and I met I felt his passion for the city and the people of the city. 'It's one of the best things I've done in a long time.' Contemporary Artist Brendan Murphy speaks at the unveiling of Perth's Boonji Spaceman. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian A closer look at the Boonji Spaceman. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian Perth has now joined six other cities across the globe to own a personalised BOONJI sculpture with the others installed in New York, London, Washington D.C., Riyadh, Mallorca and Oslo. Although the artwork was donated, The City of Perth budgeted $250,000 for the transportation and installation of the Spaceman. The transportation process of the 1,365 kg carbon fibre and steel giant took 12 months and involved engineers to ensure a safe trip from Miami. Despite local outrage and on-going petitions, the installation still went ahead. Followers of the social media profile, 'savethekebab' shared their frustration and disappointment online. '$250k that could have supported a local artist to create something more relevant that is unique to us,' one follower said. The sculpture will live where the sculpture Ore Obelisk once stood, but was uninstalled in 2021 due to safety reasons. It is currently in city storage. 'It's standing where Ore Obelisk stood for 50 years - a work that actually meant something to this city.' another follower said. The Ore Obelisk in its heyday. Credit: Museum of Perth Facebook / RegionalHUB Mr Reynolds said that a notice of motion was put forward to the city to reassess what to do with the art pieces currently in storage. Mr Murphy will be displaying his other artworks at his 'blockbuster' Australian solo exhibition at the end of May at Gullotti Galleries in Cottesloe. The BOONJI Spaceman will stay at Stirling Gardens for 12 months and is anticipated to find its forever home in another location in the city, which is yet to be confirmed.
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Perth joins only six other cities to get their own spaceman
A 7-metre tall graffiti-covered spaceman has touched down in Perth and is being prepared for installation out the front of the City of Perth's Council House. 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. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 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.
