#robinbell

“Open Sea” (1985) Phase I @official_wem • The statue was created by Canadian artist Robin Bell [ http://www.robinbell.net/project/12-2/ ], who also created the Phase Two sculpture of the three oil workers titled “Running In” . From the artist’s website “This is my largest sculptural project to date. The head alone weighted 4,500 kgs. It was built during a nineteen month period between 1984-85. At the back of the mouth there is a bench to sit on. In this cave like area I created prehistoric type reliefs of an imaginary whale hunting tribe. I selected the Right Whale because it is found on both Canadian coasts and is the most endangered of the whale species.” Originally the sculpture was set in a shallow pool of water located in Phase II of the mall, from  1985 until the summer of 2010. The whale was formerly located in the center of the main walking aisle of the mall, situated between The Ice Palace and Bourbon Street – directly in front of where Victoria’s Secret is today. (photo credit of whale from Phase II http://www.robinbell.net/ ) The art installation was removed in 2010 to allow more room in front of the Victoria’s Secret store. In 2015 the Whale sculpture returned to have a new home on the main level of Phase I, just outside the entrance to the now former Sears Department Store. The statue was moved once more in 2020, upon news that a Toyota dealership was arriving at West Edmonton Mall. This time the Whale migrated only a short distance to the opposite end of Phase I . West Edmonton Mall 8882 170 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Source: https://bestedmontonmall.com/2021/01/18/bronze-whale-statue-open-sea/, https://globalnews.ca/news/1918227/popular-whale-sculpture-returns-to-west-edmonton-mall/ #opensea #RobinBell #wemwhale #bronze #bronzestatue #bronzesculpture #sculpture #wanderlust #globalgypsy #shoppingmall #thedevilisinthedetails #godisinthedetails #wandering #details #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #WestEdmontonMall #WEM #YEG #FotoQuartet (at West Edmonton Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTM2cQ2Hb_H/?utm_medium=tumblr

Details of the “Running In” statue, a bronze representation of three oil workers •1983 • Phase Two, @official_wem • The sculpture is by Robin Bell. • According to the artists website: This was the artist’s first large commission. It was also his first full figure, high realism sculpture. Fortunately the artist knew something about the subject matter having worked one winter in the Alberta mountains on an oil rig to help pay for another “sculpture expedition” to Italy. In the sculpture the artist presents three ages of man. The eldest dressed as those during the first Canadian oil strike. Originally designed and presented for public access. Every piece of clothing has a different surface quality. • West Edmonton Mall 8882 170 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Source: [ http://www.robinbell.net/project/188/ ], & https://bestedmontonmall.com/2021/01/18/oil-workers-statue-running-in/ #Runningin #RobinBell #oilworkers #bronze #bronzestatue #brinzesculpture #sculpture #wanderlust #globalgypsy #shoppingmall #thedevilisinthedetails #godisinthedetails #wandering #details #awesome #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #WestEdmontonMall #WEM #YEG #FotoQuartet (at West Edmonton Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPsqSbNnXRj/?utm_medium=tumblr

According to “Best Edmonton Mall” an unofficial fan site of @official_wem : The “Running In” statue, a bronze representation of three oil workers, has been present in West Edmonton Mall since its Phase Two expansion in 1983. The sculpture is by Robin Bell [ http://www.robinbell.net/project/188/ ], who in fact was familiar with the subject matter. According to his comments on the statue, he worked in the Alberta oil sector to help fund a trip to Italy (which he wanted to take for purposes relating to his art). The sculpture has three stages of man, with the eldest in dress which would be common when Oil was first struck in Alberta. All three have different and unique surface qualities. The sculpture currently resides just outside of the Phase One food court, West Edmonton Mall 8882 170 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Source: https://bestedmontonmall.com/2021/01/18/oil-workers-statue-running-in/ #Runningin #RobinBell #oilworkers #bronze #bronzestatue #brinzesculpture #sculpture #wanderlust #globalgypsy #shoppingmall #thedevilisinthedetails #godisinthedetails #wandering #details #awesome #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #WestEdmontonMall #WEM #YEG #FotoQuartet (at West Edmonton Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPqFMlSnLjA/?utm_medium=tumblr

Another addition to the collection. #stevemcqueen #thesandpebbles a print from an original slide courtesy of #RobinBell #blackandwhite #stinkingwolf (at Broadstairs)

Silver Gelatin Print by Robin Bell.