Living sculptures launching in Linton

LIVING Indigenous sculptures are set to grow at Linton’s Edinburgh Reserve.

Wadawurrung artist Kait James, and fellow creative Forest Keegel will collaborate with Traditional Owners and the Linton community in the development of an endemic Indigenous plant community which will pay respect to the area’s living First Nations culture.

As part of their work to regenerate the reserve’s plants and wildlife habitat, the Linton community members will plant the sculptures later in 2022, also acknowledging the stolen land they live on.

Idea sharing, planning, and designing workshops with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will run this month, and the project will get an official launch this Sunday, 12 June at 12pm.

“Our vision is to collaborate with the community, and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and we encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the workshops in June,” James said.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the municipality received a grant of $30,000 last year from the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund to deliver the project.

“The living sculptures project is a unique piece of art for Linton that community members can contribute to and enjoy for years to come,” he said.

“Council encourages community members from Linton and across the Shire to get involved in the planning and creation of this exciting public artwork.”

The project launch this weekend will include a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony from Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Barry Gilson.

The next two workshops are set for 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, 18 and Saturday, 25 June at the Linton Shire Hall. After the meetings, plans will be displayed here, and feedback is welcome.

If you can’t attend but would like to be involved, contact arts and culture advisor Fiona Lee on 5220 7320 or at [email protected].