A bronze sculpture of an oversized student exiting a tent is the focal point to all those who drive in the school grounds and is the second piece of public art for Hamilton by accomplished sculptor, Paul Dibble.

Entitled The Journey, the sculpture reflects the change and transition of adolescent boys and girls into adulthood, through their education experience at St Paul’s Collegiate School. It is also symbolic of St Paul, who changed and transitioned from the persecutor of Christians Saul, to Paul the champion.

The art installation was commissioned to celebrate 60 years of the school and 40 years of Tihoi Venture School and was unveiled at a public ceremony on Monday 14 October.

The sculpture captures the essence of adolescence through the figure looking awkward and confused. This represents the time when adolescents are beginning to work things out for themselves. It represents the story of childhood to adulthood through the uncertainty and excitement of adolescence.

The artist’s use of a tent was inspired by the architectural vision behind St Paul’s Collegiate School chapel. The chapel was deliberately designed in the shape of a Middle Eastern tent reflecting that students don’t stay long, they ‘pitch’ their tent and after their time at school, they move on.