Blog
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MakeWork Update: Blue Boy’s On The Move Friday, April 02, 2010
There have been sightings of a blue rhino on the Southside.
This Saturday beginning at 7:40 am, an oversized rhino pull toy created by sculptor John Petrey will begin traveling down Main Street to its temporary location in front of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. The sculpture is one of seven new pieces being installed around downtown Chattanooga for the 4th Biennial Sculpture Exhibition.
What began as a sketch back in April 2009 as a child’s oversized rhino pull toy has finally come to life and beckons to be noticed. Blue Boy was created using over 300 square feet of manipulated patina copper sheeting; 10,000 rivets; railroad ties plus four huge tractor wheels Petrey discovered in Texas. The massive pull toy’s finished size is 18.5’ long x 9’ tall x 7’ wide.
Blue Boy is a community-owned project. The process started with a MakeWork grant for new equipment and an assistant, and was completed using local labor and suppliers.
Petrey has plans to continue creating a series of oversized pull toys, but for now he says “I’m looking forward to secretly sitting back and watching as the public views the sculpture once it’s installed.”
