The Hands of Time is a 12-part series of bronze sculptures by British Columbia artist Crystal Przybille to commemorate the City of Victoria’s 150th anniversary of incorporation in 2012. You are invited to explore Victoria’s history and identity, which these sculptures depict. Trick is, can you find them all?
The Hands of Time consists of 12 bronze sculptures that depict life-size hands engaged in activities symbolic of Victoria’s past. The three-dimensional hands vary in culture, age and gender, and quietly convey eras and stories of Victoria.
The artwork is designed to playfully engage young and old, local and visitor, while kindling interest in Victoria’s history and identity. Each piece reveals a depth of meaning about Victoria, and beckons exploration and contemplation.
About the Process
Crystal Przybille was one of more than 80 artists who responded to the City of Victoria’s “Call to Artists” for the national, three-stage Victoria 150 public art competition. Following the City’s Art in Public Places policy, submissions were assessed on their artistic merit, expression of theme, feasibility, the use of public space, and sustainability.
About the Artwork
The Hands of Time depicts hands carving a canoe paddle, holding a railway spike, performing with a fan, carrying blankets, carrying books, holding binoculars, tying a rope to a mooring ring, panning for gold, raising a tea cup, holding a mirror, cupping Dogwood blossoms, and digging Camas bulbs.
Each sculpture is cast in bronze and finished with a dark patina. Some of the artworks such as “Holding a Mirror” incorporate smoothly polished stainless steel reflective pieces. To ensure authenticity, Crystal Przybille worked with First Nations artists in designing two of the art pieces. The paddle element in the “Carving the Canoe Paddle” sculpture was designed by Clarence Dick of the Songhees Nation, and the gathering basket element in the “Digging Camas Bulbs” artwork was designed by Carolyn Memnook of the T’souke Nation. The 12 bronze sculptures are located around Victoria’s Inner
Harbour, with one art piece at City Hall, The Hudson building, along the Songhees Walkway, and another at the top of Beacon Hill at Beacon Hill Park. The artworks can be found on buildings, lamp standards, rocks in landscaped areas, and on bedrock.
1. Carving a canoe paddle
Location: On bedrock in Lime Bay Park, northwest of Songhees Walkway. (near waterfront)
Description: The paddle element of this sculpture as designed by First Nations artist, Clarence Dick.
The sculpture references Lekwungen culture, both past and present.
2. Holding a Railway Spike
Location: On lamp standard east side of Wharf street. (between Pandora Avenue and Johnson Street)
Description: This sculpture references the history
and impact of the construction of an island
railroad in the 1880s, which connected Victoria
with the railway system of Canada. This artwork
is in proximity to the old E&N Railroad.
3. Performing with a Fan
Location:
On lamp standard east side of Government Street
(between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue)
Description:
This sculpture symbolizes the
significance of Chinese culture and the performing arts in Victoria’s identity. It is situated in proximity to the McPherson Playhouse and the gates of Canada’s oldest Chinatown.
4. Carrying Point Blankets
Location: On west entrance of The Hudson at 1700 Block of Douglas Street.
Description:
This sculpture references the
historical significance of the Hudson’s Bay
Company to Victoria’s identity. The Hudson’s Bay
Company extensively traded wool point blankets
during the North American Fur Trade.
5. Carrying Books
Location:
On west wall of Victoria City Hall at the
Pandora Avenue entrance
Description:
The sculptural books symbolize
education and governance in the Capital City
of British Columbia.
6. Holding Binoculars
Location:
On brick wall west side of Wharf Street, near Bastion Square.
Description:
This sculpture looks out to the ocean, referencing the compelling nature of Victoria’s geography and the foundation of its tourism and sightseeing industries.
7. Tying a Rope to a Mooring Ring
Location:
On bedrock near David Foster Way, below Wharf Street. (between Fort and Broughton Streets)
Description:
This sculpture referencesthe arrival of the first tall ships to the area and Victoria’s nautical identity.
Original mooring rings – remnants of Fort Victoria – can be found at this location.
8. Panning for Gold
Location:
On rock within landscaping below Wharf Street, near Broughton Street.
Description: This sculpture references the Gold
Rush of 1858 that brought many people to Fort
Victoria. This sculpture is situated near the Custom
House, where mining licences were administered.
9. Raising a Tea Cup
Location:
On lamp standard at corner of Government and
Humboldt Streets, near the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Description:
This sculpture references Victoria’s traditional, customary and historical connections to Britain.
10. Holding a Mirror
Location:
On Lower Causeway wall, below Government Street, near the central staircase.
Description:
This sculpture reflects the Inner Harbour, which is key to Victoria’s history and identity. The reflection and text in the mirror reminds us of where we are now – the present – is a result of all that has come before, and is part of all that is yet to come.
11. Cupping Dogwood Blossoms
Location:
On lamp standard north side of Belleville Street,
near Government Street.
Description:
Pacific Dogwood is British Columbia’s floral emblem. This sculpture symbolizes Victoria
as British Columbia’s Capital City, and the
importance of appreciating the present and
nurturing the future.
12. Digging Camas Bulbs
Location:
On rockbed in a landscaped garden on Beacon Hill
at Beacon Hill Park.
Description:
The gathering basket element of this sculpture was designed by First Nations artist Carolyn Memnook. Gathering baskets and digging sticks were utilized by the Lekwungen people to gather Camas bulbs for food. The site of this sculpture overlooks a vast Camas bulb field, a traditional territory of the Lekwungen people.
The Hands of Time is more than just a public walking tour. It is more like a historical scavenger hunt where you can learn a bit about Victoria, B.C's 161 year history. To participate in the hands of time check out the Google Maps Art Work Locations or download a pdf map of the tour.
Information is as presented from the city of Victoria at the time of this post. Photos by ©Roy Whitney
