The ‘Deep Listening Sculpture Circle’ at the P. J. Wilson Reserve came into being during a series of recent workshops and was made possible with the generous support of the South Gippsland Shire Council and the Regional Arts Fund.
“Deep Listening is an Aboriginal concept, which means listening with all parts of our being, our heart and our soul,” said local indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy who has been involved in the creation of the Deep Listening Sculpture Circle along with fellow artists under the direction of workshop leader/ master sculptor of public works, Sioux Dollman who has previously installed major works at Werribee Zoo, working with ferro-cement in public installations.
Rendered with ferro-cement, with incised decoration coloured with ochre, both the central and exterior surfaces feature artwork and the interior wall of the circle also featuring seating.
The artwork is collaboration between Lisa Kennedy (Trawlwoolway), Aunty Eileen Harrison (Kurnai elder), Ronald Edwards – (Gunai Kurnai) , Patrice Muthaymiles Mahoney (Dhungutti/Anuin), Mick Harding (Taungwurrung), Uncle Dennis Seymour (Adnamattyna elder) Sioux Dolman, with assistance from Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place and local artists Sue Gilford, Cat Blamey Wheeler, Andrew Stacey, Grant Flather, Kirsten and John Clark, Peter Corser, David Bell, Laura Brearley and students from South Gippsland Secondary College.
“Relationships are being promoted in the community with a strong partnership with the Foster and District Community House. The sculpture will incorporate past and present connections to the old Manna Gum tree situated in the Manna Community Garden expressing connections to local community and the land,” she explained.
It is the beginning of a community sculpture garden and it is planned that additional sculptures will be installed at the site by a variety of artists from Gippsland community in the future.
There will be complementary landscaping around the sculptures scheduled at a later date when the weather is more appropriate for planting.
“The members of this group have experience working together on other arts and cultural projects,” Ms Kennedy said.
The main site was fenced off safety reasons during the installation process, but the activity certainly drew the attention of many people who visited the site to watch the creative process and to chat with the artists.
The coverings will remain over the sculptures will be removed in two to three weeks and once the cement has cured, additional details will be added.
An official unveiling of the Deep Listening Sculpture Circle will take place in the near future.
Enquiries about the project can be made to [email protected]
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