Crucial restoration efforts will take place next week to reattach the missing hand of the Maritime Museum’s controversial colonial-era statue, ‘George’.
The painstaking work will take place over two days, March 27 and 28, in the public gallery, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the meticulous conservation process first-hand.
The statue, believed to be the earliest known free-standing full-length sculpture in Australia, depicts a well-dressed colonial gentleman in the act of urination.
Since its recent donation to the museum, the enigmatic sandstone figure has sparked considerable discussion regarding its origins and historical significance.
Experts suggest the subject may be Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur, and that the statue itself was likely commissioned as a bold political statement rather than a mere garden fountain.
“This extraordinary sculpture is a powerful piece of colonial satire and historical mystery,” said Maritime Museum Tasmania President Chris Tassell.
“Restoring the statue’s missing hand ensures that we continue to present it as authentically as possible, preserving its ability to provoke conversation and insight into Tasmania’s past.”
This work has been made possible through the support of The Copland Foundation and will be carried out by University of Melbourne-based conservators from Grimwade Conservation Services.
Visitors to the Maritime Museum Tasmania during the conservation period will be able to observe the restoration work in progress and learn more about the specialist techniques used by the Grimwade conservators.
The museum welcomes the public to engage with this significant project and reflect on the ongoing interpretation of Australia’s colonial history.
