Revealed: 100 designs for Superlambanana

Mar 19 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Lamb is worth another look

SUPERPSYCHEDELICLAMBANANA, Superlambananasplit, Superlambaacodebanana, Superlamb Pyjama, and Soup, A Lamb, Bananas and Custard – it was an opportunity to see one of Liverpool’s iconic modern artworks as never before.

The designs which will be painted onto 100 replicas of the Superlambanana for a “public art explosion” went on show yesterday for sponsors to chose how they would like their sculptures to look.

A special exhibition held in the performance space of the Bluecoat displayed more than 350 designs from professional and amateur artists.

Sponsors will chose their favourites for their own replica and the artists will then be commissioned to go ahead with their idea as part of Go Superlambananas, which will forge a trail of the colourful decorated artworks throughout the city and surrounding areas from June 16.

The iconic part-sheep, part-fruit sculpture had been turned into a tiger, a zebra, a stegosaurus, and a punk among many other creatures, objects, and even more surreal concepts such as Cubism.

In Superabbeyroadbanana, the image is transformed into a John Lennon figure on a zebra crossing, as in the Beatles’ album cover.

Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director of Wild in Art, which is behind Go Superlambananas, said the project had reached another exciting milestone.

She told the Daily Post: “I’m absolutely thrilled. We put the call out to local and regional artists to submit designs and we have now created a portfolio and this is the first opportunity sponsors of the Superlambananas have to choose their designs.

“We have been overwhelmed by the quality of designs that have come in, from professional and amateur artists in all mediums.

“There are mosaic Superlambananas, bejewelled Superlambananas, some are illustrated, there are Superlambananas in pyjamas, some are telling the history of Liverpool – it is fantastic and I think people will be spoilt for choice.”

Go Superlambananas runs from June 15 to August 25, and the replicas will be dotted around prominent parts of the city to forge a coherent trail.

Last night property provider Bruntwood was named as a partner in the event.

Regional director Trisha Stewart said: “We are a great supporter of the arts in Liverpool and thought we wanted to be involved in the Capital of Culture year, and the Superlambanana is such an iconic structure within Liverpool, we really wanted to get behind it.”

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk