Reconsidering ‘Vernacular’ Roadside Art: A Global History of Big Things

Presented by Dr Amy Clarke

Derided as low-brow ‘kitsch’, ‘Big Things’ have long been ignored by architectural and art historians. Supersized roadside statues exist in almost every country, with substantial numbers in Indonesia, France, Tunisia, Brazil, Malaysia, Türkiye, Israel, Belgium, and more.This arts talk will demonstrate that there are distinct regional trends and typologies that can be ‘read’ as indicators of the socio-cultural traits or qualities that peoples in these places value most.

Dates and Locations

Sunday 15 November 2026 Sunshine Coast (QLD)

Click on the location above for more details and to book tickets.