Skip to content

Orca-inspired sculpture pitched for Victoria Johnson Street Bridge park

Designs unveiled as part of plans for public space around bridge
9786764_web1_171215-VNE-JohnsonStBridgeArt02
Concept designs for part of the public space created near the new Johnson Street bridge. (Submitted)

Eleven coloured and polished angled surfboards, meant to mimic an orca coming up for air, anchors a public art installation targeted for the approach to the new Johnson Street bridge.

City council, sitting as committee of the whole, is scheduled Thursday (Dec. 14) to receive a report on the sculpture and other public space designs for the waterfront near the bridge. The entire project is estimated to cost $3.65 million, including the $250,000 sculpture designed by Victoria Artist in Residence Luke Ramsey, and Indigenous Artist in Residence Lindsay Delaronde.

Funds from several 2017 projects that came in under budget or were cancelled amounted to $650,000, money that will be combined with $3 million from the 2018-22 financial plan, to build public spaces surrounding the bridge.

The sculpture is described as showing, from different angles, “movement from stillness,” and looking through it makes it appear as if the structure is disappearing, “a connection to nature’s challenges for survival,” according to the artists’ statement.

Designs for parks on either side of the bridge are also included in the report.

lauren.boothby@vicnews.com

9786764_web1_171215-VNE-JohnsonStBridgeArt03
Concept designs for part of the public space created near the new Johnson Street bridge. (Submitted)
9786764_web1_copy_171215-VNE-JohnsonStBridgeArt