The Self Made Man

Self Made Man - Bobbie Carlyle

This is my favorite piece of public art in downtown Batavia – not that there’s a lot to choose from!  This is a sculpture by Bobbie Carlyle, installed on River Street in 1996.  It is, as can be seen, a larger than life-size bronze carving himself out of stone – “Bobbie Carlyle’s vision of Self Made Man is a man carving himself out of stone, carving his character, carving his future” – Bobby Carlyle Sculpure website.  It is difficult to get a good photograph, the background is quite busy.  On this snowy day I was able to get a total grey background, which I changed to black to bring out his form.

As for public sculpture in Batavia, the new Wilson Street bridge will eventually have four pieces installed.  One is up already, very nice but also difficult to photograph.  “Sun-Beams” by Kathryn Breisch, another Batavia Mainstreet Calender Photo Contest winner, is about the best I’ve seen.  I look forward to seeing the other three sculptures whenever they are installed!