Since beginning in 2020, Fredericton’s Temporary Public Art Program has expanded from Phoenix Square to various locations throughout the city. This year, the City is pleased to announce that the work of two Fredericton-area artists have been selected for display: Jean Hudson’s Waves, and Gary Crosby’s The Crow Murder, Mysteries. Both works offer unique, interactive experiences and will be displayed throughout the summer and into the fall.
Jean Hudson’s Waves
Jean Hudson’s Waves is a functional art piece in the style of multiple tête-à-tête (head-to-head) chairs connected with the pattern of a wave along the top rail. Silhouettes of fish appear to swim upstream on each seat, forming a long zig-zagging school of fish, intended as a reminder to keep litter out of the river for the sake of the fish that live therein. Two colourful sets of eight seats have been installed on each side of the Wolastoq (Saint John River).
You may recall another of her recent works, Harold the Hippo, who became a notorious character at Killarney Lake last summer and is now located in the duck pond at Odell Park. In similar style to Harold, Jean created Waves from reclaimed metal barrels. A large part of the inspiration for her art comes from seeing discarded items in an imaginative way.
Hudson hopes that the work will inspire connection in the community. “Like waving to a neighbour, in a world of increasing smartphone addiction and loneliness, “Waves” will provide a sense of togetherness, community and fun,” she says. “Seating face to face, or beside each other, waving to a passerby, or seated looking at the views in opposite directions, “Waves” equally celebrates the beauty of the north and south sides of Fredericton and its friendly residents.”
Gary Crosby’s The Crow Murder, Mysteries
Gary Crosby’s The Crow Murder, Mysteries features a series of interactive instalments throughout various locations in the City. The heart of the installation features several detailed crow sculptures, each a testament to the elegance and mysterious character of the bird. The crows, hand-carved and carefully painted for a lifelike appearance, will first be displayed on the South end of the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge.
Accompanying the murder of crows is a QR code that observers can scan with their smartphones to lead them to a short mystery story they can try to solve. Intertwined in the stories will be aspects of the City’s history and local attractions to create a unique interactive experience. Once the display has been up for two weeks, the installation will be moved to a new location, accompanied by a new mystery. The answer to the previous mystery will be posted on Gary’s website after each 2-week period. You can find more information on Gary’s website, https://dwcarving.com/Murder.html
Crosby states, “The Crow Murder, Mysteries is more than an art installation; it is an evolving story set within the natural beauty of the City, a celebration of creativity, mystery, and community engagement. Through the combination of exquisite craftsmanship, thoughtful placement, and interactive storytelling, this project invites visitors to see the city—and perhaps even the crows that inhabit it—in a whole new light.”
Both works have been installed and are currently available for the public to view. The Waves installation can be found along the City’s trail system on both the North and South side, near the Westmorland Street bridge. The Crow Murder, Mysteries is currently on display on the south end of the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge. The Temporary Public Art Program is meant to showcase local artists while contributing to Fredericton’s welcoming and vibrant spaces for the community and visitors in the summer and fall seasons. To learn more about Fredericton’s Temporary Public Art Program, click here.