Three beloved sculptures have been capturing the hearts of children and families in Hobart's Elizabeth Street Mall for nearly three decades. Thompson the dog, Maurice the pig, and a distinctive fish bubbler fountain were all created by local artist Patrick Hall, who was commissioned in 1996 when the pedestrian mall was first established. During a recent interview with ABC Tasmania Afternoons presenter Joel Rheinberger, Hall shared the fascinating stories behind these iconic public artworks that have become integral parts of Hobart's urban landscape.
Hall explained that his vision was to create three child-oriented sculptures, each crafted from different materials that would reflect the personality of each animal. "The idea was to make these three kid-orientated sculptures and each with a different sort of material that related to the personality of the object in a way," Hall told Rheinberger. His concept included a wooden dog, a concrete pig, and a shiny, scaly bubbler water fountain, each designed to invite interaction from young visitors to the mall.
The most popular of the trio, Thompson the dog, has an interesting history of renewal. The current version is actually "Thompson Mark 2," as Hall explains. The original Thompson was carved from a tree stump that came from a farm next to the workshop Hall shared with his friend Mark. "Thompson mark 1 rotted away and was taken away by the council," Hall recalled. When the council asked him to create a replacement, he was disappointed that the original sculpture simply disappeared on the back of a truck before he could ceremonially return it to the farm where the wood originated. The new Thompson was crafted from timber provided by Kevin Perkins, a renowned furniture maker who helped stimulate Tasmania's furniture culture alongside Hall's brother-in-law, John Smith. Unlike the original single-piece carving, Thompson Mark 2 consists of two pieces of wood stacked together.
Watching children interact with his creations brings Hall immense satisfaction. "It does" give him joy, he confirmed, noting that ten years after creating the sculptures, he and his wife Di had their own son, who grew up sliding down Thompson's nose during family trips to town. Though their son is now 19 and has outgrown such playful interactions, Hall fondly remembers those moments. An interesting local legend suggests that Thompson was named after someone's grandfather who served as chief engineer of the Hobart City Council when the sculpture was installed. While Hall admits it's "a lovely story," he clarifies that he simply chose the name Thompson because "if I had a dog that's what I would call it."
Maurice the pig has endured a more turbulent existence since his installation. Just one week after being placed in the mall, vandals scratched "Tasmanian police" into his side, forcing Hall to remove and refurbish the sculpture. During Maurice's absence, The Mercury newspaper ran a playful series called "Where's Maurice," featuring the pig in various fictional scenarios, including meeting the Pope and appearing alongside Tony Bullimore, who famously got stuck in a yacht. Despite the rough treatment Maurice has received over the years, with visible signs of wear and damage, Hall notes with admiration that "he's stoic."
The fish bubbler fountain has proven to be the most durable of the three sculptures, largely due to its construction from cast aluminum. Hall worked with Skills and Perkins, casting specialists located near Catamaran, to create this piece. The process involved Hall creating a plug, which was then used to cast the aluminum components that were welded together with integrated plumbing. Hall humorously points out a small reservoir where water collects, jokingly calling it a "botulism sort of thing" and advising against putting one's tongue on it, referencing advice similar to not licking pump handles during disease outbreaks.
These three sculptures have become more than just public art; they represent nearly thirty years of childhood memories for Hobart families. Hall's thoughtful approach to creating interactive, child-friendly public art has resulted in enduring works that continue to serve their intended purpose of bringing joy and wonder to young visitors. As Thompson, Maurice, and the fish bubbler enter their third decade in Elizabeth Street Mall, they stand as testament to the power of community art to create lasting connections between public spaces and the people who inhabit them.
