Comic celebrated... in bread

A 22ft high portrait of Dame Edna Everage has been unveiled in Melbourne - made entirely of toast.

New Zealand artist Maurice Bennett created the work on the side of a tower block, to celebrate the Melbourne Festival.

He was commissioned by Australian bread maker Wonder White, who provided the 2,989 slices needed to create the 17ft-wide portrait.

Dame Edna said: "I'm tickled pink. Although I'm far from crusty, it's wonderful to be popping up on a billboard."

The slices were toasted to different shades, then preserved in plastic.

Supermarket owner Bennett told the Melbourne Herald Sun: This is just such a passion," he said.

"When I thought about images for Australia, Dame Edna to me is the most recognisable Australian icon. And she's a housewife, which has a direct association to bread."

The portrait will remain in its city centre position for five weeks.

Bennett's previous toast-based work has featured Jonah Lomu, the Mona Lisa and Elvis Presley.

Maurice Bennett home page

Published: 28 Oct 2002