Artwork Lights Up Baldivis Sports Complex
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As the Baldivis Sports Complex draws closer to completion, its unique public art element has been installed in a central location on the pedestrian spine between the Indoor Sports Complex and the Main Pavilion.
Titled “Karrikins Dirdong” the distinctive sculpture by artists Jason Hirst and Peter Farmer is both aesthetically pleasing and educational, depicting the six Nyoongar seasons within the design.
The Nyoongar word karrik is one of the first recorded Aboriginal words for ‘smoke’ from the Perth area in the 1830’s. It has since been adopted by science in the word karrikins, which are organic compounds left in the soil when plants burn. Those compounds then stimulate the germination of seeds from many different plant species, making them a vital part of the greening that occurs shortly after a bushfire has blackened the bush.
Made from aluminium, with the design engraved into the aluminium plate, the artwork was designed to throw shadows on the ground as the sun passes over, creating an ever changing extension of the design. Inbuilt coloured lighting brings the artwork to life at night.
The intent of the artwork was to depict connection to the land, new growth and development, so Peter Farmer met with Rockingham Elders to ensure the design was aligned with the Rockingham/Baldivis area.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said “This art work is a fantastic example of the City’s Art Collection policy in action, with a piece which respects and celebrates the City’s diverse heritage and culture, and reflects a connection to the place where it has been installed.”
The artwork is part of the City’s Percent for Art Program which requires major civic infrastructure projects to include a piece of public artwork.
The Baldivis Sports Complex is expected to be open in early 2023.