Between January 2008 and January 2011, eleven sculptures were unveiled on the Sydney Cricket Ground precinct. Ten of these sculptures were created through the extraordinary generosity of the project's benefactor, Basil Sellers. The 11th, of the celebrated barracker 'Yabba' (Stephen Harold Gascoigne), is an SCG Trust initiative. Yabba sits in front of the new Victor Trumper Stand as a tribute to every spectator who has ever ventured to this iconic part of Sydney where major sport has been played since colonial times.
Bronzed is the story of these sculptures, from initial idea to final installation. The subjects, echoing Basil Sellers' broad love of sport, are legends of cricket (Richie Benaud, Fred Spofforth, Stan McCabe and Steve Waugh), AFL (Paul Roos and Paul Kelly), rugby league (Dally Messenger and Reg Gasnier) and rugby union (Trevor Allan and Ken Catchpole). The sculptors, Terrance Plowright and Cathy Weiszmann, are recognised as two of Australia's leading artists; for both, this project is a career highlight.
The sculptures' individual locations reflect the unplanned development of the area in and around the SCG; the sculptures are here and there, in places unexpected, in alcoves and by-ways, as well as places of great prominence.
Featuring 250 photographs, often lavishly presented, and edited and produced by Geoff Armstrong, one of Australia's leading sports writer and publishers, Bronzed is a remarkable tribute to a rare fusion of sport and art. Not only is the majesty of the sculptures themselves beautifully captured, but so too is the sense of joy and enthusiasm that greeted each of the unveilings. The result is a book that will appeal to lovers of art and sport in equal measure.
