We spotted this lego man on Francis Street, Darlinghurst, up near Hyde Park.

I went looking for him, tipped off by one of our readers, emac.

Have you seen the super cute little lego man on Francis St? Up the top near College. On the concrete ventilation thing out front of the Lumina apartment block.

Despite the clues I had to walk by several times before catching a glimpse.

OK. There it is. But what’s he about – a by-product of extra lego, tribute to a friend, nostalgic street art?

A couple of Darlinghurst stories made it into Hyde Park’s annual public photography show, Sydney Life, this year.

Roslyn Sharp took thousands of photos of local icon Theresa Kompara (otherwise known as Mrs Christmas) in front of her Victoria Street home (itself otherwise known as ‘the dollhouse’).

Theresa’s the most fascinating mix of eccentricity and sweetness you can imagine – I interviewed her a month ago for a profile, but so far noone has bitten for the feature so I may write it up here.

Another local, Diego Ibanez, has been haunting the streets lately, snapping people walking through the neighbourhood – including us – but it’s this picture that made it into Sydney Life.

Neither photograph won the Sydney Life Prize, though all 22 finalists are in the running for the people’s choice award – it’s open and on show in the Central Walkway of Hyde Park North, Sydney, until October 25, 2009.

Can Sydney council put on a public art show big enough for big city expectations, yet still creative, representing local artists, relevant to the local community?

Art & About is underway until October 24 at various sites in Hyde Park North, Erskineville Road, George Street laneways, Oxford Street and Danks Street, as well as banners along various city streets, including William Street and Kings Cross Road.

I can see Paddy Bedford’s bright yellow banner from my balcony. If you didn’t know it was part of this show, you might think it was… an oblique promo for some new festival? a summery splash of colour?

(Louise Hearman’s fascinating, odd banners featuring a dog’s head on a black background are up the street near Hyde Park)

Newtown’s 2042: Art on the Street seems to have got locals involved, for something pretty enjoyable.

Not sure if Sydney council’s done it, or even if it’d see that as something to aspire to?