I AM sculpture finds its place by the water

A LARGE-SCALE sculpture celebrating the local community is now on public display at Geelong Waterfront and is inviting everyone to be a voice for diversity.

The City of Greater Geelong commissioned artist Mark Cuthbertson to create Geelong’s I AM sculpture which recognises people in the Greater Geelong region who have lived experience with disability.

Cuthbertson collaborated with Robert Croft, Hannah Wilkinson, Christian Den Besten and George Macaronis to develop the text-based sculpture, which was inspired by more than 85 contributions from the local community through a series of artist-led workshops.

Standing at more than two metres tall and designed to be moved around the municipality, the interactive sculpture invites viewers to position themselves within the piece and post photos using the #IAMGeelong to help form a collective voice which celebrates diversity.

“Congratulations to the many people in Geelong’s all-abilities community who have worked for so long to make this artwork a reality,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.

“This public sculpture celebrates the contribution of people of all abilities to our community.”

Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan congratulated all participants on their part in the sculpture’s development.
“This is an engaging and important piece of public art that reinforces our belief that everyone in the Greater Geelong community is welcome and brings their own unique value,” Cr Sullivan said.

“Mark, Robert, Hannah, Christian and George have done an outstanding job creating the finished artwork from the excellent contributions of so many community members.”

The Victorian Government funded the piece through the Community Support Fund and was delivered in partnership with Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disabilities and Geelong-based ArtGusto.

I AM will remain in place at the waterfront until February 2022.