Community art project unveiled

A mythical megafauna creature, inspired by paleontological discoveries in the sinkholes and caves of the Limestone Coast region will be brought to life as the Mount Gambier Beacon Art Project, after it was endorsed as the successful EOI application at the October Council meeting.

Artists Mitch Walker and Tom Proctor of Huna Studio in Melbourne came up with the idea for the unique creature after a conversation about the history of the local landscape.

“I was at a family wedding and I was speaking with my Aunty Jo who is a paleontologist. I asked her what she was up to, and she told me she had been in Mount Gambier and started showing me all these incredible photos of her cave diving and all the things that she found. She showed me photos of all these creatures and ancient megafauna,” Tom said.

“One of them was this thing called a Palorchestes Panei which is a sort of marsupial ant eater, a big, lumbering kind of ant eater creature. So that was a seed for the idea right there.”

The designers sought to create a piece of art that was representative of many kinds of ancient marsupials found in the region.

“Mount Gambier is an interesting and unique place,” Mitch said. “This design is a symbol of lost and ancient creatures, a manifestation of some lost, mythic marsupial mega-fauna.

“Not a literal recreation, but an imaginary figure that has emerged from the earth and embarked upon a journey across the landscape. Encouraging viewers to question its origin and embark upon their own journey of discovery.”

The artists hope the mythical creature will spark a sense of curiosity in people who view it.

“One of the things that I find really interesting about this piece is the stark contrast of it being this really bright, alien object and we’re hoping it stops you in your tracks when you see it,” Tom said.

The artists anticipate that initial interest in the larger-than-life artwork will lead to curiosity about its origins and ignite a desire for further discovery.

“We think of it as being friendly and we hope that kids will give it a hug. You want people to lean in and then that will open the door to them wanting to learn more about where it came from and why it was created,” Mitch said.

“We hope it puts a smile on someone’s face and brings a little bit of joy. It doesn’t have to be a super abstract complicated idea, it can just be something as simple as that,” Tom said.

An assessment panel comprised of four representatives from the City of Mount Gambier, including Councillors Max Bruins and Frank Morello, Riddoch Director Ashleigh Whatling, Team Leader Exhibitions and Collections Chris Clements along with Art Gallery of South Australia’s Erin Davidson evaluated 22 Expressions of Interest in May for the Mount Gambier Beacon Art Project based on a detailed selection criteria.

“The fact is cities gain value through public art – cultural value, social value and economic value. Public art adds meaning to a city and provides uniqueness to communities,” Cr Bruins said.

“A vibrant arts and cultural scene is part of the fabric that makes up a robust and well-rounded community and part of the rationale behind allocating funds to a beacon art project is to proudly announce that we want to be such a community with a vibrant arts and cultural scene.”

“We know it is bold, it will draw attention, and we know it will almost certainly be controversial however it will also capture imaginations and spark conversations – like so many other significant public art projects it is divisive and has the potential to be both celebrated and criticised.”

Mayor Lynette Martin acknowledged that the project had sparked controversial debate within the community.

“I admit that when I was first presented with this project, I was not totally convinced about it, but I also admit to being conservative,” Mayor Martin said. “However, when hearing the back story, I began thinking about it a bit differently and how it connected with our geological and zoological history.

“I hear criticism that council could find projects more worthy of this money. I want to assure the community that we are committed to focusing on all the other important issues that have been raised. We are using funding that has been quarantined over several budgets for the purpose of this project, with a shortfall of about $20,000 covered by our existing art budget.”

“I guess we must ask ourselves the question, do we want beacon art which is designed to attract people and make a statement, or do we want more traditional art. I believe we have room for both in our city.”

Expressions of interest for the Beacon Art Project were received from around Australia and Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Director Ashleigh Whatling said the assessment panel were impressed with the high quality of the applicants’ proposals.

“The Beacon Art Project seeks to capture the unique combination of landscape, people and history that forms Mount Gambier’s identity and resonates with the local community and visitors to the city,” Ms Whatling said.

Huna Studio was shortlisted for the project due to demonstrated engagement with the history of the region, combined with the original concept and proven experience working in public architecture.

“Bold public art has the proven power to transform and elevate the natural and built environment and connect communities to place,” Ms Whatling said. “Huna Studio’s proposal speaks directly to the geological and natural history of the Limestone Coast region.”

The project budget of $137,450 provides investment in the city’s cultural vibrancy, aligned with the Community Vision for Mount Gambier 2035 and the Mount Gambier Public Arts Strategy.

Council considered installing the megafauna sculpture in the vicinity of the Old Town Hall, however, given the historical significance of the building façade, resolved to explore other locations for the artwork, to be further explored at the November Council meeting.

The project has an expected lifespan of approximately 20 years with minimal ongoing maintenance costs. Following Council endorsement, fabrication will now take place in the coming months with the artwork due to be installed by June next year.