Brick Rabbit

Details

Year	2005
Artist(s)	Brian McArthur & Dawn Detarando of Voyager Art & Tile
Type	Sculpture
Medium	Brick, glass
Site Location	G.H. Dawe Community Centre

Description

This playful, larger-than-life brick rabbit, made by Alberta-based artists Brian McArthur and Dawn Detarando, reflects a melding of urban and rural environments. The sculpture features whimsical details like dark glass mosaic eyes and a glossy black glass nose. Its oversized, welcoming form invites curiosity and interaction, especially from younger visitors.

This large-scale brick sculpture is characteristic of Brian and Dawn’s public art practice. It was made in studio with wet bricks, which were carved into their final form. Each piece was labeled, numbered, fired in a kiln, the cemented together. This technique is no longer possible due to the 2010 closure of I-XL Industries, the local brick supplier that provided the wet bricks.

A common sight in Red Deer, the rabbit becomes a playful symbol of place-reflecting the artist’s aim to create joyful works that connect with the communities around them.