On a popular pathway next to some railroad tracks sits a unique outdoor art exhibit, all created by Esquimalt sculptor Alan Hewitt.
Hewitt moved to the area from Australia 30 years ago and while waiting for a work visa, hatched a plan.
“I went down to the library in Victoria down there and got all these books and videos out on famous artists because I wanted to be a world-class artist,” says Hewitt.
Feeling dejected after watching several other videos, Hewitt found p inspiration from one of the greats.
“I was watching one on Pablo Picasso and what Pablo did was he took some bicycle handles, took the handles and the seat and joined them together and hung them on the wall and called it Bull, and I thought I could do that,” exclaims Hewitt.
Starting with ceramics and moving into full-sized sculptures, Hewitt’s art overwhelmed his small front yard and his wife’s patience.
“We only have a very small front yard. So, I thought where am I going to do it,” explains Hewitt.
Luckily for Hewitt, he didn’t have to look or go very far to find the perfect place to showcase his creative side. He turned to a nearby public garden, that just happened to be alongside the E&N Trail.
“I thought why not this place here, this garden behind us and see what happens,” says Hewitt. “So far the response has been great, people have been photographing them and putting them on social media.”
Hewitt plans to add more sculptures to the garden-side trail and once they’re finished being displayed, he knows exactly how to get rid of them.
“Hand them out and give them away to the people in the greater community and greater Esquimalt for free,” smiles Hewitt.
At the end of the day, the only person Hewitt says he has to impress is himself.
“That’s not the whole point, pleasing people, it’s more about experimentation and artistic expression,” he says.
Cole Sorenson
