Consultant appointed to sculpture park

THE City of Ballarat has partnered with a Melbourne-based Indigenous organisation in developing Victoria’s first Aboriginal outdoor sculpture space.

Non-profit group Agency Projects will oversee the management of the city’s North Gardens First Nations Sculpture Park at Lake Wendouree.

The group will steer the selection of the site’s second piece with Yolngu woman and public programs coordinator Leila Gurruwiwi serving as curator.

Ms Gurruwiwi said her role will prioritise discussions with local Indigenous groups.

“My role will be first and foremost around consultation with community groups. It’s really important that we understand what everyone wants from this,” she said.

“I’ll consult with community and stakeholders to see what sort of sculpture or artwork they want to be seen and highlighted.

“The City of Ballarat are really wanting to develop more sites where people can engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and it’s exciting to be a part of that.”

Ms Gurruwiwi began her career reporting for The Marngrook Footy Show, and alongside her role as a cultural awareness speaker, she currently works as an Indigenous support worker at Melbourne’s Pavilion School.

Cr Amy Johnson said it’s “a score” for the city to have Ms Gurruwiwi heading the project.

“Leila has extensive experience in facilitating exhibitions, events and cultural experiences for audiences throughout Australia and abroad,” she said.

“Celebrating and acknowledging the work of Aboriginal artists in public spaces is another way we can work towards reconciliation”

The park’s first piece, titled Murrup Laarr, was created by traditional owner Dr Deanne Gilson in 2019 for the site’s launch.

The second commissioned work is yet to be determined, and Ms Gurruwiwi said expressions of interest will be dependent on community engagement.

“The most important thing is that consultation with community because of the permanence of these sculptures,” she said.

“It shows the strength and longevity of Aboriginal culture and highlights and focuses on the traditional custodians of the space.”