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<\/p>\nA NEW public sculpture for Geelong that will celebrate people of all abilities is about half complete.<\/p>\n
More than 80 people living with a disability contributed to the design for the sculpture through a series of workshops delivered by the city.<\/p>\n
The City of Greater Geelong engaged Inverleigh sculptor Mark Cuthbertson to lead a small creative team, including Robert Croft, Hannah Wilkinson and George Macaronis, to come up with the final design.<\/p>\n
The final result is I AM \u2013 a large-scale interactive artwork constructed of concrete and featuring engraved text and surface detailing inspired by participant responses in the workshops.<\/p>\n
Drawing reference from powerful political and pop culture statements such as the 1968 Memphis black sanitation workers slogan \u201cI am a man\u201d, and Helen Reddy\u2019s 1971 anthem I Am Woman, the work celebrates the empowerment of diversity in society.<\/p>\n
The work invites the viewer to be part of the work, and to proclaim, \u201cI am\u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n
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This interactive element allows the work to be modified for each individual and photographs will be gathered to form a collective voice expressing, \u201cWe are \u2026\u201d.<\/p>\n
The artwork will be relocatable, ensuring wide access to all community members, and the realisation of the artwork in a number of settings.<\/p>\n
The project is delivered in partnership with VALID and ArtGusto, with funding from the Victorian Government.<\/p>\n
Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan and Geelong MP Christine Couzens visited Mr Cuthbertson\u2019s workshop in Inverleigh last week to see the progress of I AM, including the polystyrene moulds that will be used to cast the concrete letters.<\/p>\n
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Mr Cuthbertson said the work was about 50 per cent done and was earmarked to be launched in the first week of September, and he was especially pleased 85 different artists had left their own marks on the sculpture.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo genuinely take contributions from a big, broad section of the community has given it reverence and legitimacy; it\u2019s really quite great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis one has come together beautifully \u2013 I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s been compromised, every stage has added to the design.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Sullivan thanked the Victorian Government for the funding and acknowledged the high level of community participation in the workshops.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank Mark and the artistic team for leading this project, as well as the many people living with disabilities who provided valuable contributions to the final design,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see this work underway, I am looking forward to seeing the final result standing proud in various locations across Greater Geelong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Couzens congratulated the all abilities advocates, and Mr Cutherbertson and his team, who collaborated on the significant artwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must reflect all in our community, and I look forward to seeing this work exhibited prominently around Geelong,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW public sculpture for Geelong that will celebrate people of all abilities is about half complete. More than 80 people living with a disability contributed to the design for the sculpture through a series of workshops delivered by the city. The City of Greater Geelong engaged Inverleigh sculptor Mark Cuthbertson to lead a small […]<\/p>\n