X-Crew Reviews
X-Crew Reviews
X-Crew Reviews is your inside look at campus art, seen through the eyes of our X-Crew volunteers. Each piece offers a fresh perspective – exploring the stories, meaning and creativity behind the works that shape our spaces.
Beefing with a Statue was not on my 2026 Bingo Card
By Amber W.
3rd Year UC Student, Bachelor of Accounting
Artwork: Reclining Figure by Ante Dabro
Q: What did you notice first looking at this artwork?
A: What made me first notice the sculpture was that it was on its side, specifically that it was lying on its side. I have never noticed the art piece before because of its colouring. The dark grey metallic look to it allowed it to blend with the foliage around it. So naturally, you would not notice it.
It also takes a while for your eyes to adjust and make out what the sculpture looks like, because the sculpture is more of a blob on its side before you can make out the humanoid figure. It took me 2 trips to realise it was a human being on its side. Since then, I’ve just naturally noticed it more on my walks to and from buildings 6 and 7.
Q: What emotions or sensory feelings does this artwork evoke?
A: This is sort of stupid, but the first emotion it invoked in me was jealousy. This was because when coming to notice the art piece, I was heading to my 9 am class. I took notice of how the sculpture was leisurely lying on its side, seemingly relaxed and without a care in the world.
I noticed myself feeling jealous towards the sculpture, how they were just lying down and enjoying themselves, whilst I was lugging my bag and coffee to class. How I, in those few moments, wish that were me. Wish that I were the one leisurely lying down, chilling without a care in the world.
Then I caught myself feeling jealous towards a sculpture, me, a breathing, living human being, feeling jealousy towards an inanimate sculpture. After the jealousy came humour. Laughing at myself for feeling this way, then just going about my day, heading towards my class with a little bit of a smile on my face.
Honestly, I’m rooting for the Pear Plan
By Georgina S.
3rd Year UC Student, Bachelor of Accounting
Artwork: They thought a pear a day would help them play – Gillie and Marc
The antlers were the first thing I noticed, stretching upward like branches reaching for the window light. At first, it looked like a man in a suit, but the longer I looked, the more the forest appeared in him, half nature, half city.
In his hand rested a bright green pear, heavy with meaning, as if it held a quiet world of life and peace.
Around me, students passed by footsteps, laughter, and phones tapping, but the sculpture remained completely still. Watching it made me wonder: who is more human? The creature silently offering life, or the people rushing past without noticing?
The artwork felt strangely calm, like a silent promise that differences are only shapes.
I walked away thinking Pear-haps all we are meant to do is hold something good for a little while and root for it.
An Invitation to Dream
Tamara O.
3rd Year UC Student, Bachelor of Medical Science
Artwork: Mural by @Faithsprays & @Bohie, 2019 (unnamed)
The first thing I noticed about the mural were its colours: bright and warm in an otherwise dark and daunting space. The second was its fluidity. Each splatter and line independent but also united in what seemed like a concoction of hope and joy.
It made me wonder: how often do we pass by a moment of beauteous joy and neglect to see it? Too entrenched in the mundane day-to-day, or the stress of our next deadline. How many moments do we miss?
Beyond its initial persona, the mural evokes a sense of imagination and possibility. Not just an invitation to dream, but to chase one’s dream. To actively partake in your own narrative, be true to yourself and become the person you want to be.
When the world seems all too daunting, I encourage you to pause. Take a deep breath. Look around for something to make you smile. Most importantly, believe in yourself and where you’re going.
Believe in the possibilities.
Believe in your dreams <3
