Why Windsor bathes its massive bronze elephant

Windsor washes its elephant statues, but why? Here’s your answer.

On the shore of the Detroit River, it’s a reminder of the savannas of Africa that draws the attention of passersby on Windsor’s waterfront.

Largely considered a park favourite, Tembo the elephant, a massive bronze sculpture accompanied by her two calves, received their annual cleaning on Saturday.

The public event draws more than 100 people to the waterfront to help spray down Tembo, scrub the dirt away, and wipe the sculptures clean.

“I really feel that Tembo has something for everyone. It’s nature. It’s about the environment. It’s this wonderful, exciting, lovable animal. It’s larger than life,” explained Salina Larocque, the City’s coordinator of cultural development.

Tembo is a key figure created by artist Derrick Stephan Hudson in Windsor’s Sculpture Park.

According to the city, Tembo, whose weight is equivalent to that of six cars, is among the largest bronze elephants in the world.

For more than 10 years, Windsor has held Tembo Wash Day to rejuvenate the elephants.

Larocque suspects it’s the love and allure for Tembo that makes it the perfect art piece for an annual community cleaning.

“The tusks have patina changing [change of colour] on them because the tusks are touched so much. The babies are always being sat on. It’s so attractive to everyone, and she makes you want to touch her,” Larocque said.

She added the cleaning is a way to bring residents together and answer any questions about the sculptures.

More than 30 large-scale sculptures sit on Windsor’s waterfront as part of the public art collection.