The Drovers

As the associated plaque mentions, one of the greatest successes of the streetscape of World Expo 88 was the series of sculptures known as The Human Factor. Created by John Underwood's Artbusters organisation, The Drovers captures five of these figures in a typical Australian outback scene. They are located outside the Primary Industries Building at 80 Ann Street.

Now made of cast aluminium, the sculptures were originally created in fiberglass. After nearly 17 years had begun to show their signs of wear. They were recreated in 2005 to preserve the sculptures, and as a continued reminder of the positive impact Expo 88 had on the city. Much was made of this recreation, as the "bushies" had returned to the city!

To me, World Expo 88 represents when the city grew up. I came up from Victoria with one of my mates specifically to attend the exhibition. Prior to that Brisbane was more like a big country town, but the turning points seemed to be the Commonwealth Games in 1982, and then this significant world event. Over 18 million people visited the city for the exhibition. With sculptures like these they truly did get to see a little slice of Aussie life.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Axeman

In a small arcade off Queen Street, just before you hit Edward Street and at the side of the National Australia Bank, you'll stumble across an Axeman undertaking his trade. The Axeman is a sculpture created by John Underwood's Artbusters organisation and was relocated here by the bank at some point after World Expo 1988 for the people of Brisbane. The sculpture was part of the Human Factor sculpture series of approximately 90 works originally at the Expo site at Southbank.

The "Human Factors" sculptures created quite a stir at the World Expo 88 in Brisbane. Although these creations, made of fibreglass and coated white, simply showed people doing ordinary things, they derived their powerful impact from the way they illustrated universal and timeless human qualities. The sculptures can still be found at several other locations around Brisbane.

I quite literally discovered this sculpture whilst wandering around the city. I had no idea it was there, but my new found attention to more of the hidden delights of the city drew me down this otherwise unexplored arcade. The Axeman has stood the test of time well, still poised and ready to chop after nearly 20 years! I can only hope that I'd be in as good a shape after 20 years at my job. Wait a minute?! I better check the mirror!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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