A bold sculpture with intricate detailing that plays with line, light and shadow has been announced as the public artwork to feature in the revitalised Eltham Gateway.
The sculpture has been created by Nillumbik artist Maureen Faye-Chauhan and celebrates the Shire’s unique bushland and the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.
Wurundjeri Elders have chosen the title for the sculpture, ‘Gunga winhanga warr bundha ba winhanga warr djurring’ in traditional Woi wurrung language, meaning ‘Take what you need and not what you greed’.
The artwork announcement comes as landscaping works started this week on the Eltham Gateway project, which will see both sides of Main Road rehabilitated and landscaped with significant plantings of native vegetation.
The project is a collaboration between Council, the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade and community group The Southern Gateway Renewal Group.
Made of weathering steel and measuring more than 2m tall and 5m wide, the sculpture will be located north of Main Road between the flower stand and the Diamond Creek Bridge.
It’s the exploration of form that has formed the basis of the artwork.
The multi-dimensional twisted structure blends the shapes of the fallen twisted boughs of the manna gums, with that of a scarred tree form - created when First Nations people removed the bark for canoes, shields and other items.
The artwork was realised through digital 3D modelling and will be made of 52 steel facets with linear cut outs allowing for a delicate play of light and shadow. It’s being fabricated at Alustain in Campbellfield, owned by another Nillumbik local, Brett Morrison.
Once in place, the artwork will be illuminated at night with the opportunity to change colours for significant events.
Maureen first began working with contemporary jewellery, then specialising in small sculptural forms. This will be her biggest work yet. Maureen’s works are in The Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia, and have been included in exhibitions around the world.
ID Landscaping, formerly known as Indigenous Design Landscaping, have been engaged to complete the landscaping works.
This week’s work started on clearing weeds, the installation of fencing along the creek, and preparing the ground for pathways and boardwalks.
For the latest updates about this project please visit the Eltham Gateway Project site.
For the latest information regarding the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade project please visit our Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade page.
