Significant sculpture moves to Drysdale

DRYSDALE community members have welcomed the installation of a monument to celebrate people who have lived experience with a disability and to raise awareness of their experiences.

The I AM sculpture, which is inspired by political and pop culture statements such as the 1968 Memphis black sanitation workers’ slogan “I am a man” and Helen Roddy’s 1971 anthem “I Am Woman” has moved to the Potato Shed.

The monument was previously located at Pakington Street in Geelong.

Its present location at the Potato Shed is significant, as it was at the nearby SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre where the idea for an artwork recognising people living with a disability was dreamed up by the Geelong and Bellarine Peer Action Group from VALiD (Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability).

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the public artwork would stand proudly outside the Potato Shed for the next 12 months.

“I AM needs to be seen to be believed – each letter in the sculpture weighs around four tonnes and is inlaid with text-based works of the contributing community members.

“The statue recognises the empowerment of diversity and gives a voice to people with a lived experience of disability.”

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant threw her support behind the installation’s move to Drysdale.

“It is incredible to have the I AM sculpture accessible to the Drysdale and wider Bellarine community; near the SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre where the idea for the artwork was created,” she said.

“This sculpture represents the important message of celebrating and supporting people with lived experience of disability as well as raising awareness of their experiences and contributions to our community.”