THE PARKS OF SYDNEY. 41 



nude in art is discussed as regards public parks is access- 

 ible to me. In a public gallery the officials can readily 

 make arrangements for restricting the view of a picture 

 from those to whom it is considered undesirable to show 

 it, whether it be young children, or mixed gatherings of 

 both sexes, but in a public park art objects must be open 

 to public view all day long. 



We have very few objects in our Sydney parks to whom 

 any person may take exception on moral grounds, but 

 there are one or two in regard to which persons whose 

 judgment should be respected have raised protests. My 

 own view in this matter can be very simply expressed. 

 There should be nothing in any public park to wound the 

 susceptibilities of any citizen. A man should be able to 

 pass through a park without seeing anything that will 

 bring a blush to the cheek of his wife, his daughter, his 

 sweetheart or any other woman or child. Further, there 

 should not beany objects that require (so to speak) to be 

 apologised for or slurred over, for an art object should not 

 only not be a source of pain or discomfort to some, but 

 it should be a source of pleasure, — an aesthetic ideal 

 maybe, to all. 



I am sorry to say that there are so few statues or other 

 art objects in the Sydney parks, exclusive of those 

 (Botanic Gardens and Garden Palace Grounds) that are 

 closed at night. Most of the statuary is to be found in the 

 Centennial Park and Hyde Park. Although creditable for 

 a young country, candour compels one to admit that much 

 of it does not reach a very high standard of art. 



Statuary in public parks is often looked upon as a target 

 for mischievous people and one has to frequently repair it. 

 Inconsequence art objects of considerable value cannot be 

 exhibited in a public park unless they are practically proof 

 against wilful damage or unless they can be specially 

 protected. 



