I AM scultpures on inclusion tour

A SERIES of sculptures designed to recognise and celebrate people with a lived experience of disability have found a new home outside the Geelong West Town Hall on Pakington Street.

The works that collectively spell I AM are more than two metres high and reference the themes of historical struggles like those of black sanitation workers in Memphis with their 1968 slogan ‘I AM man’ and Helen Reddy’s defining 1971 song ‘I AM woman.’

“This artwork not only celebrates people who live with a disability, but it gives them a voice,” Mayor Sullivan said of the relocatable sculptures that were previously in Lara’s Austin Park and at the Geelong Waterfront.

“I AM offers the opportunity to connect with the broader community about inclusivity and how diversity benefits us all,” the councillor said.

The city commissioned the sculptures from Mark Cuthbertson and artist-collaborators Robert Croft, Hannah Wilkinson, Christian Den Besten and George Macaronis, who produced the work with more than 85 contributions from the community.

The lead artist was there last week to greet the works as they arrived at their new Pakington Street location, along with deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken and Geelong MP Christine Couzens whose government helped fund the sculptures.

“Many people in Geelong’s all-abilities community worked for so long to make this fantastic artwork a reality,” Ms Couzens said.

“It is great that this public sculpture, celebrating the contribution of people of all abilities to our community, will now be on display in Pakington Street.”

Cr Aitken said the works will help promote community discussion about inclusiveness.

“It’s also designed to invite community members to be a part of the work by positioning yourself within and taking photos, joining others in the region who celebrate diversity,” he said.

The works will be situated outside the Geelong West Town Hall until October and visitors there are invited to use the hashtag #IAMGeelong when posting photos to social media.