Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Pride

On the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets outside the Sebel hotel is the sculpture Pride. The work was commissioned by the Mirvac Group, as a gift to the city and was unveiled in 1999. It is made of stainless steel, and was sculpted by Grant Lehmann. Standing 3.4 metres tall, the sculpture has 598 panels fixed to a network of underlying framework by 2562 rivets.

One of the things which has intrigued me in researching this sculpture is that the associated plaque references the web site "grantlehmannsculptures.com". I can't locate this site at all, and even on the Wayback machine, there isn't any reference. I find it strange that you'd put the details of your site there and then not have an actual site! The other dilemma is whether this sculptor Grant Lehmann is the same Grant Lehmann who has worked recently on Hollywood film productions here in Brisbane as a special effects sculptor.

Aside from the intrigue of the sculptor, the sculpture itself is visually stunning. The height and polished stainless steel make it stand out from some distance. I love the reflective nature of the panels, and this is one of those works of art where as the photographer you can try to take shots which show your own reflection, albeit minimalistically. Another thing I found amusing was that you can easily walk between the legs and not bang your head (I'm easliy amused)! You will also notice that the Traffic Signal Box Art behind it actually depicts the sculpture on TSB: B0211. Two pieces of art for the free price of one.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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17 comments:

Wes said...

An Update!
I'm excited because I got an e-mail from Grant and he confirmed he is one and the same sculptor and Hollywood Movie effects wizard.
He's hoping to do some more sculpture work, but at the moment is heavily booked in with movie work. He closed his website as he has so much work on in film.

Anonymous said...

It's worth noting that this sculpture as originally erected was cast in bronze. The version with shiny steel cladding was added a few years later. The TSB in your picture depicts the original bronze incarnation.

Wes said...

Thanks for the further information Adrian.

Judith said...

I wonder if this Grant Lehmann is also the one in this eBay listing?

Wes said...

Judith, I don't think its the same Grant, but you never know!

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm in London and have a 6 foot sculpture of a naked lady holding a glass table signed by Grant Lehmann. Does anyone know if this is the same person as the movie maker who sculpted her?

Wes said...

Hi Amanda,

If you send me a direct e-mail I can pass you Grant's details so you can ask him!

Cheers, Wes.

Unknown said...

Hi Wes
Sorry taken so long to reply! How do I find your email address?
Amanda

Anonymous said...

I will ask him for you, as he lives next door to me

Chelsea said...

He is my father so if you have questions i would be happy to answer them however personal ones will not be answered sorry :) i am so glad you like it and the site crashed a while back so has been removed from the internet.

Chelsea said...

Also yes it is the same Grant Lehmann who now works on movies so yes he has come quite a way since the sculpture was created, i am very proud of him.

Chelsea said...

Also there is a 'C' where the sculpture mans heart is, so keep an eye out for it.

Wes said...

Hi Chelsea. Thanks for the feedback. As written at the time, the work is quite inspirational, and a credit to your father's work.
Cheers, Wes.

Anonymous said...

Is there any way I can contact Grant Lehmann? I can't seem to find a phone number or email address.

Laurie said...

Hi Chelsea I know this is a very long shot, But I have a Beautiful plate sculptured with a Frill Necked Lizard on it and with the words Australia on it as well. On the back is stamped "Grant Lehmanns Pottery Toowoomba, Qld.". So i was wondering if this is your Dad Chelea. ? I wanted to give it to one of my Cubs Scouts so i was keen to give them a story about it as well if theire was one. :-)

take care & all the best with the creative forces in your dads life & yours. :-) Laurie Deacon, Brisbane.

Unknown said...

Hi my name is Nurelle,

I purchased a bust of a beautiful lady back in the 80's, it has a stamp on the side Grant Lehmann,
I was told it was an original but I never received any papers could you help me with some information about this piece?
My email address: nurelleotoole61@gmail.com

Kind regards
Nurelle O'Toole

Anonymous said...

Grant did at one time own a pottery business in Toowoomba