Wadawurrung story told through new sculpture at North Gardens

Local artist Deanne Gilson will tell the story of her Wadawurrung ancestors through a public sculpture at the North Gardens wetlands.

The City of Ballarat’s Public Art Advisory Committee has recently completed the selection process for the first sculpture commission at the North Gardens site, with Deanne’s piece – inspired by real lived experience of her ancestors – being chosen.

The sculptural park project coincides with the Lake Wendouree Master Plan, a 20-year strategic plan for the future of Lake Wendouree which supports the activation of the precinct as an inclusive centre of community life, while protecting its character, views, trees and environmental functions.

The City of Ballarat, in consultation with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and local Indigenous representatives, initiated the sculpture park project in 2017 to help identify and educate the community about the significance of Lake Wendouree to local Indigenous residents.

The new sculpture park will be located at North Gardens, Lake Wendouree and will feature work of multiple Indigenous artists.

Deanne’s piece will be the first to be installed at the site.

Her work will be centred around a traditional hut made from river stone and stacked rocks, with the hut surrounded by large basalt rocks with plaques featuring unique designs imbedded into them.

The plaques will have symbols of men, women, children, hunting, artefacts, ceremony, plants, animals/totems and Dreamtime stories associated with her Wadawurrung ancestors.   The rocks will be connected through a river of pebbles, representing the waterways and Lake Wendouree.

Deanne said the space would become a ceremonial place. The artwork is scheduled for installation in early 2019.

The City of Ballarat is pleased to make this announcement during NAIDOC Week.

This year's NAIDOC Week theme recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's achievements, their voice and their unwavering passion, which gives strength and has empowered past generations and paved the way for generations to come.

Further information: Ballarat has been a gathering place for Indigenous people in south eastern Australia for centuries, and the wetlands around Lake Wendouree have been identified as a location where gatherings of Indigenous people have previously taken place.

Subsequently, indigenous plantings have been a strong feature of the area’s landscape design, which will be further supported by this $90,000 public art project.

City of Ballarat officers will continue to work with an Indigenous landscape design team to consult with Wadawurrung Elders and commission new landscape design elements and contemporary sculptures created by south eastern Australian Aboriginal artists for the wetlands area at the North Gardens.

The first artwork commission was designated for a Wadawurrung artist to showcase the Traditional Owners of Ballarat, the Wadawurrung people.

It is intended the North Gardens will become a place for education, ceremony, storytelling, skills development or demonstration, and contemplation.

Further public art commissions are yet to be announced.

Quotes attributable to Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh:

“This is an important project for Ballarat, one that will help us understand how Lake Wendouree is significant to the local Indigenous people.

“Deanne’s sculpture concept provides the community with an insight into the identity and stories of her ancestors, the Wadawurrung people – providing a significant cultural interpretation that will help protect their story and educate generations of Ballarat residents for years to come.

“I congratulate Deanne on her work and look forward to seeing it come together.”