Modern Day Sysphus - Leeds, UK - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

Although the figure is in modern dress and the setting is in a very modern area of office blocks, it is inspired by the myth of Sysphus.

In Greek mythology Sisyphus was a king punished by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.

In this sculpture by Kevin Atherton the ball furthest from the canal is 2 metres in diameter, whilst the one next to the canal is 3 metres in diameter. This difference in size represents the task getting harder the nearer the pusher gets to his destination.

The sculpture is in an area that was originally a busy wharf where goods were loaded and unloaded for transportation along a nearby river and canal.

Just like many such areas around the world, the wharves fell into disuse as road transport took over as a more flexible way to transport goods. Also like many such areas it has been redeveloped as an area with modern offices, a museum, restaurants and apartment blocks.

The shiny reflective surface of these modern boulders add to the piece, and the nearby buildings can be seen distorted on the balls.

These young Sysphus figures are portrayed wearing modern dress consisting of jeans and a hoodie. Both figures are identical, the only difference being that the one pushing the smaller ball is not actually touching it.

The co-ordinates were taken from the boulder furthest from the canal.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: A Reflective Approach Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Kevin Atherton Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: November 2007 Materials used: Bronze Figures and Stainless Steel Balls Location: Clarence Dock

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