Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Superlambanana

Superlambanana is a bright yellow sculpture in Liverpool, England, weighing almost 8 tonnes and standing 5.2 metres tall. Designed by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo, who created only a ten-centimetre model, the full-size version was made by local artists Andy Small, Julian Taylor, Tommy Reason, and Ray Stokes. First developed for the 1998 ArtTransPennine exhibition, it is described as a response to the dangers of genetic engineering and as being strongly influenced by Liverpool’s history, when both sheep and bananas were common cargo on the city’s docks. The sculpture is now located on Tithebarn Street, outside the LJMU Avril Robarts Library/Resource Centre.

Superlambanana sculpture beside a stone building behind a fenced pavement area.
The Superlambanana stands beside a stone building along Duke Street.
January 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Superlambanana sculpture painted like a red uniform with gold details and a striped banana-shaped tail.
The Superlambanana sculpture stands on a paved area outside a building, painted in a red uniform style with a striped tail.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Superlambanana sculpture beside stacks of old suitcases on a paved outdoor area, with a child in the background.
Superlambanana stands near piles of old suitcases outside the Liverpool Art Institute.
October 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Superlambanana sculpture on artificial grass inside a shopping mall, surrounded by a white picket fence.
The Superlambanana displayed on artificial grass inside a shopping mall.
July 2008 © · CC BY 2.0
Superlambanana sculpture covered in colorful ribbons and fabric on a grassy hill
The Superlambanana covered in colorful ribbons and fabric, standing on a grassy hill with a valley beyond.
September 2008 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleSuperlambanana
TypeSculpture

Physical characteristics

FormHybrid of a banana and a lamb
ColorBright yellow
Height5.18 m (17 ft)
WeightAlmost 8 tonnes

Location and ownership

Main sculpture statusThe main sculpture is in the Museum of Liverpool and is movable around the city
2008 London appearanceOne replica appeared at Euston station in London
2010 initial locationStrand Street, in front of the Cunard Building and the Royal Liver Building
Financial stewardshipHeld in financial trusteeship by Liverpool City Council
Custodian after exhibitionLiverpool Architecture & Design Trust
Unveiled atThe reopening of Tate Liverpool
2010 planned relocationLime Street station after reconstruction
2010 Shanghai copyOne of the eight copies, named Archie, was sent to the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, donated by the city, and is now in the Shanghai World Expo Museum
2014 relocationAs of October 2014, four of the eight copies had been moved to Pier Head, in front of the new Museum of Liverpool
2008 special replicaThe Highest SuperLambBanana, installed on the summit of Moel Famau in North Wales to recognise Liverpool's close ties with Wales
LocationLiverpool, England
Current locationTithebarn Street, outside the Avril Robarts Library / Learning Resource Centre of Liverpool John Moores University
Previous locationWapping Dock, Liverpool

Creator

ArtistTaro Chiezo
2010 Shanghai copy designer and makerDebbie Ryan, a local artist from Liverpool
Artist residenceManhattan, New York City
Artist nationalityJapanese

Historical context

Exhibition purposePart of an initiative to create an "art corridor" across northern England
2010 replicasEight new two-metre copies were installed in early 2010 as urban public art
Development locationFormer Bryant & May Matchworks factory in south Liverpool
Design date1998
2008 replicas125 two-metre designer replicas were installed across Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region in 2008 as part of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture year; local community organisations and city businesses sponsored them
Created forArtTransPennine Exhibition of 1998

Discovery and provenance

Full-size replica makersAndy Small, Julian Taylor, Tommy Reason, and Ray Stokes
Original model size10 centimetres (4 inches)
Scale of enlargement50:1

Materials

2010 Shanghai copy materialMosaic technique
Construction methodWire-mesh frame supporting a shell of concrete and fibreglass
MaterialsConcrete and fiberglass on a metal frame

Other

2023 Eurovision contextLiverpool hosted Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of Ukraine because of Russia's war with Ukraine
Development cost£35,000

Appearance

Name originFrom English super, lamb, and banana

Iconography and meaning

Inspiration interpretationThe idea of incorporating a vital piece of engineering into a larger aesthetically pleasing structure
Inspiration sourceThe Queensway Tunnel ventilation shaft
Historical referenceRefers to Liverpool's dock history, when sheep and bananas were common cargo
InterpretationAn ironic commentary on the dangers of genetic engineering
Intended meaningTo reflect the future of Liverpool in the 1990s

History and restoration

Black and white repainting contextDuring a period of quasi-vandalism; the colours were those of a Friesian cow
Purple repainting purposeFor the SmokeFree Liverpool anti-smoking campaign
Blue and yellow repainting purposeTo match the Ukrainian flag during the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool
Pink repainting purposeFor the breast cancer awareness charity Breakthrough
Repainted coloursPink, black and white, purple, and blue and yellow
Later statusBecame a popular city symbol and a valued work of public art
Initial receptionInitially controversial, with skepticism about its purpose and value
Intended mobilityDesigned to move around the city rather than remain in one location