Pete the Pelican

by Neil Findley

Pete the Pelican grew out of my habit of looking at everyday materials and seeing personalities hiding inside them. Steel and electrical clips aren’t things most people associate with warmth or character, but as I started shaping and welding, Pete began to emerge with a kind of stubborn charm. He’s built from the same materials I work with every day, yet somehow, he took on a life of his own. Filling his beak with fish was the moment the sculpture shifted from an object into a character. It gave him a story—cheeky, proud, and a little bit greedy. That detail captures what I enjoy most about making pieces like this: taking something industrial and giving it movement, and a sense of mischief. Pete reflects my own way of seeing the world. I like finding personality in the unexpected, and I enjoy the challenge of turning hard, unyielding materials into something that feels alive. He’s a reminder that even the most ordinary scraps can become something with presence and spirit when you give them time, attention, and a bit of imagination.

Pete the Pelican is categorised under:

Sculpture details

Media	steel
Dimensions	120h x 190w 60d cm
Weight	70 kg
Year Created	2026
Edition	unique
Techincal Support
Last Updated	07/07/2026 01:53:26

Exhibited in

2026 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

Prizes won

Pete the Pelican hasn't won any prizes yet.

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Pete the Pelican

Pete the Pelican

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