Eye Spy Glenrothes Sculpture/Totem Pole

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As part of this weeks wordpress photographic challenge, Eye Spy, I’m posting three photos taken in Glenrothes. The first photo comes from Glenrothes Town Park, and shows ‘The Good Samaritan’, a sculpture by Ronald Rae, unveiled in 1988 to mark the 40th anniversary of the town. The sculpture depicts a fireman carrying a victim to safety, after the King’s Cross Tube Fire disaster, and symbolises the community spirit of Glenrothes.

Eye Spy - The Good Samaritan, Glenrothes Town Park

Eye Spy – The Good Samaritan, Glenrothes Town Park

The second two photos are of the relatively recently erected ‘totem pole’, on the Formonthills woodland trail, at the back of Glenrothes. The totem pole, which was designed by Alistair Jelks, and carved from a Douglas fir, weighs more than two tonnes. It depicts local wildlife, including a red squirrel, a robin, a hedgehog and a fine buzzard sitting at the top, eyeing the view over Glenrothes.

Eye Spy a Totem Pole - with a Buzzard at the top - Formonthills

Eye Spy a Totem Pole – with a Buzzard at the top – Formonthills

 

Eye Spy a Totem Pole - Formonthills, Glenrothes

Eye Spy a Totem Pole – Formonthills, Glenrothes

 

 

 

22 thoughts on “Eye Spy Glenrothes Sculpture/Totem Pole”

  1. I live in “Native American” country, and I always marvel at the totem poles here. Each animal has a symbolic meaning, and there is also a reason for the placement of particular characters. Nice “eye spy” captures, Andy!

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    • Thanks Lori 🙂 I would love to see some real totem poles, I think our one has little symbolic meaning, other than saying we must preserve our natural heritage (which is an important message – but it doesn’t have the weight of history behind it).

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  3. I have not seen the totem pole. I rather like it despite being a tad queasy about cultural appropriation. I do, however, know the Good Samaritan very well. I remember its unveiling and going to see it immediately afterwards. I remember also that my sister interpreted it as being like Quasimodo rather than one figure carrying another. Are you going to do a series on Glenrothes town art? There’s certainly plenty of it.

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    • I hadn’t thought of that Laura, about doing a series on all of the art, it’s a very good idea, as you say, there’s plenty of it!!!! I can see what your sister means, The Good Samaritan does look more like Quasimodo, rather than a fireman!!! Lol! 🙂

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  5. I’d call that better use of the concept of a totem than is usually seen outside Native American art. Given that the totem pole is (supposed to be, at least) a community rather than a personal symbol, it fits very well with the other sculpture, as kind of the other face of community spirit and identity — people and place.

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    • Thank you Maia for the information about totem poles 🙂 As I said in another comment, I know very little about them, it’s good to know that they should, at least in part, represent a community. I hadn’t realised how the two sculptures work in tandem, I’m not sure if many people in Glenrothes realise that either! So thanks again Maia, I really appreciate your comments 🙂

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