List of public art in Dundee facts for kids

This is a list of fascinating public art pieces you can find around Dundee, Scotland. These are artworks that are always on display outdoors in public places, not inside museums or galleries. They tell stories about Dundee's history, its people, and even its fun side!

Historic Statues and Memorials

Dundee has many statues that honor important people and events from the past. These often stand tall in squares and parks, reminding us of history.

The Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross with its unicorn statue.

You can find the Mercat cross on Nethergate. It was first put up way back in 1586! A mercat cross was a special symbol in Scottish towns, showing where markets were held and where important announcements were made. The unicorn statue on top, which is Scotland's national animal, was replaced more recently by an artist named Scott Sutherland. It's made of stone and bronze resin.

Honoring Dundee's Heroes

Several statues in Albert Square celebrate people who made a big difference in Dundee.

• Sir David Baxter:
  

  The statue of George Kinloch in Albert Square.

In Baxter Park, you'll find a marble statue of Sir David Baxter, 1st Baronet, created in 1863 by John Steell. Sir David was a very important local businessman and a generous person who helped the city a lot.

• George Kinloch: In Albert Square, there's a bronze and granite statue of George Kinloch from 1872, also by John Steell. Kinloch was a politician who fought for people's rights.
• James Carmichael:
  

  James Carmichael's statue, seated on a pedestal.

Also in Albert Square, you can see a seated bronze and granite statue of James Carmichael, made in 1876 by John Hutchison. Carmichael was a famous engineer from Dundee.

• Robert Burns:
  

  The statue of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns.

Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, has a bronze and granite statue in Albert Square, created in 1880 by John Steell. It shows him seated, perhaps thinking up his next poem!

• Queen Victoria:
  

  Queen Victoria's statue in Albert Square.

A seated bronze and granite statue of Queen Victoria by Harry Bates was placed in Albert Square in 1899. She was the Queen for a very long time, and this statue shows her importance.

War Memorials

Dundee remembers those who served and sacrificed.

• Police War Memorial: On West Bell Street, outside the Sheriff Court, there's a stone Celtic wheel cross from 1922. It's a memorial for police officers who lost their lives in wars.
• Dundee Law War Memorial:
  

  The impressive War Memorial on Dundee Law.

High up on Dundee Law, a famous hill in the city, stands a large granite war memorial with a beacon. It was built in 1925 and designed by Thomas Braddock and William Gauldie. It lights up at night, a powerful reminder.

• Black Watch Memorial:
  

  The Black Watch memorial statue.

On Emmock Road, you'll find a bronze and stone statue from 1959 by Scott Sutherland. It's a memorial to the Black Watch, a famous Scottish military regiment.

Modern and Fun Sculptures

Dundee also has many newer and more playful art pieces that add character to the city.

Animal Art

• Deer Leap:
  

  The 'Deer Leap' sculpture group.

At Riverside Avenue in Dundee Technology Park, you can see a bronze sculpture group called Deer Leap, created in 1987 by David Annand. It shows deer in motion, leaping gracefully.

• March of the Penguins:
  

  The 'March of the Penguins' sculptures.

Outside the Steeple Church on Nethergate, look for the bronze sculpture group called March of the Penguins, made in 2005 by Angela Hunter. It's a fun and quirky sight!

Iconic Characters and Local Stories

• The Dragon:
  

  The bronze statue of 'The Dragon'.

In Murrygate, you might spot The Dragon, a bronze statue created between 1992 and 1994 by Alastair Smart, Tony Morrow, and Powderhall Bronze. It's a striking and popular landmark.

• Admiral Duncan:
  

  The statue of Admiral Duncan.

On High Street, near Castlehill, there's a bronze and granite statue of Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan, from 1997 by Janet Scrymgeour Wedderburn. He was a famous naval hero from Dundee.

• Desperate Dan & Minnie the Minx:
  

  Desperate Dan and Dawg, popular comic characters.

Minnie the Minx, another beloved comic character.

On High Street, you'll find two very famous bronze sculpture groups from 2001 by Susie Paterson, Tony Morrow, and Powderhall Bronze. These are of Desperate Dan (with his dog, Dawg) and Minnie the Minx, beloved characters from The Dandy and The Beano comics, which were published in Dundee!

• Lemmings: In Seabraes Gardens, a bronze sculpture group called Lemmings was installed in 2013 by Alyson Conway and Powderhall Bronze. This is super cool for gamers, as it represents three characters from the classic video game Lemmings, which was created in Dundee!
• Jute Women: On High Street in Lochee, you'll find the Jute Women sculpture group and screen from 2014, made of bronze and steel by Malcolm Robertson and Powderhall Bronze. This artwork tells the story of the women who worked in Dundee's jute mills, a very important part of the city's history. The screen even has verses by local poets Mary Brooksbank and Ron Hutcheson.

Thought-Provoking Pieces

• Another Time X: In the grounds of Maggie's Dundee at Ninewells Hospital, there's a cast iron statue called Another Time X from 2008 by the famous artist Antony Gormley. It's a human-like figure that makes you think about our place in the world.
• Dundee International Submarine Memorial: At Victoria Dock, you can see the Dundee International Submarine Memorial from 2009, created by Paul Grime and Jeremy Cunningham. It's made of nine stone panels and honors those who served in submarines.