Mister Eternity
Arthur Stace, a First World War veteran and illiterate alcoholic, was known as “Mister Eternity” . For 35 years he inscribed the cryptic precept “Eternity” in yellow, waterproof chalk, using an inexplicable copperplate hand, on pavements throughout Sydney. Asked why, he would merely reply “Makes 'em think”. Arthur's dictum was sent around the world, emblazoned in huge letters across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
Mister Eternity
Arthur
Dark streets
Cold mornings
Hoar frost
The Rocks
Glebe Road
Manly Beach
Eternity
Steamy evenings
Glittered harbours
Moonrise
Domain
Sea Eagles
Traffic thunder
Sunset
Eternity
Arthur
Noontime
The Bridge
Martin Place
Rushing steps
Chalk trace.
Thinking about
Writing
Eternity.
Chris Hubbard
Perth
2016.
For Arthur Stace.
Chris Hubbard
Mon 30th Oct 2017 23:49
Hi Colin,
I remember being astounded in 2000 when I saw "Eternity" in sixty-foot tall letters on the Bridge. I thought 'Now you've really arrived Arthur' (he died in 1967). His sheer tenacity in reaching so many people went way beyond obsession. I believe it was Australia's largest and most visible creative artifact up to that time, and will surely be hard to beat around these parts. Antony Gormley's "Angel of the North" at Gateshead is a more permanent British analogue.
Chris