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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.

◄ Adamson Adrift

Sun - Kings ►

Comments

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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

<Deleted User> (13762)

Mon 30th Oct 2017 08:01

Interesting story Chris, the repetition of his one word graffiti reminded me of how Aboriginal rock paintings are regularly repainted, the message in effect repeated over generations and kept alive. And there is a sense of that continuation with the word being emblazoned on the bridge. I love stories like this as they really fire my imagination. Thanks for posting. Colin.

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