Owl (sculpture)

The Big Powerful Owl is a sculpture 8 m (26 ft) tall,^[1] designed by Bruce Armstrong, in the Belconnen District of Canberra, Australia; it depicts a powerful owl (Ninox strenua).^[2]

The Big Powerful Owl in September 2018

Built in 2011, it is one of numerous big things in the Australian Capital Territory.^[3][4]

Reception

The owl's form has been criticised for its phallic shape,^[5] however, it remains a tourist attraction, with Tara Cheyne calling it a "must see".^[6][7] The work has been nicknamed^{[by whom?]} the "penis owl",^[8] "the Great Penis Owl of Belconnen",^[6][9][10] and "the Great Penis Owl of Canberra".^[11][12]

The statue has also been prone to graffiti; the ACT government had to spend A$3000 on cleaning it.^[1]