My Nillumbik Art Adventure

This week I got back into taking myself out on a Tuesday Adventure Day. This time I thought I would seek out some of the outdoor art the in shire I live in. I have lived in the Nillumbik Shire for quite a long time and have seen some of the art on numerous occasions, but I have never made a conscious effort to find out the artists or the meaning behind the piece. Nillumbik Shire covers quite a large area soI started in Eltham and ventured out.

"Wall of the Moon"
(Homage to Miro)
Tom Sanders
Eltham Town Square

Wall of the Moon is  a ceramic mural made of earthenware tiles.It consists of a playful organic abstract design similar in style to the Spanish artist Joan Miro. Shades of yellow and black glazes are layered onto matte black and shiny bronze tiles.

Eltham Town Square resident Platypus

"Classical Landscape"
Cliff Burtt
Alistair Knox Park
Eltham

Surveyor of Suburban Environs
Ernst Fries
Alistair Knox Park
Eltham

The Eye 

 Surveyor of Suburban Environs is a polished stainless steel sculpture comprising an eye reminiscent of ancient egyptian hieroglyphics, which is held up with a tappered and jaggered tail like pedestal.

Eltham's Timber rail Bridge

 Is this art? I think it is. Eltham's Timber rail bridge was built in 1902 and is the only railway bridge of predominantly timber construction that is still in regular use as an integral part of Melbourne's metropolitan electric railway network and one of extremely few timber railway bridges in the state that still carries trains.

"Alan Marshall"
Marcus Skipper
Eltham Library

 A realistic depiction (almost lifesize) of the author of almost fifteen books, Alan Marshall cast in bronze with green patination. Dressed in a jumper and slacks, Marshall is shown perched on a crutch, holding a book to his heart, gesturing to his audience to come and listen to his words. Alan Marshall lived in Eltham most of his life and was a central figure in the area's community of writers, artists, sculptors, film makers,actors and musicians.

Close up of Alan Marshall beckoning us to listen to his words

"Wayfarer"
Deborah Halpern
Nillumbik Shire Offices

Wayfarer is an excellent example of Deborah Halpern's tile construction technique and playful style that she is renowned for. I have always loved Deborah Halpern's work and am delighted when I come across yet another piece either in  the city or in other Melbourne locations.

"Transaction"
Robert Baines
Civic Centre
Greensborough

This piece Transaction by artist Robert Baines is a large cascading form in stainless steel. Multiple rows of concave dishes set on long steel stems which progressively increase in size as they rise in height.

"Benchmark"
Susie and Naomi Kumar
Coventry Oval
Diamond Creek

The Kumar sister designed this sixty metre gently curving bench, Benchmark, in response to the topography of the site, Coventry Oval. The sculpture is designed to describe the boundary between the formal oval and the natural creek bank.

"The Breeze"
Edward Ginger
Opposite Eltham Little Theatre

 The Breeze is an abstract work made out of welded steel and painted in enamel in bush fire red. It comprises of flat, cut out shapes, interlocking at different angles, giving the impression of being hinged together rather than fixed. The circular cut-out in the eye mimics the sun, symbolising the intense heat in the Australian climate,while the colour red alludes to the history of bushfire within the urban and rural fringe.

Kangaroo Ground War Memorial and Tower of Remembrance

 The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Tower is built on the highest hill in the district. It was unveiled on November 11, 1926 and is used as a fire spotter in the summer. It offers 360 degree views which take in Melbourne, the north-east suburbs and the Dandenong and Kinglake Ranges.

One of the Windmill Palms

 Surrounding the tower there are seven windmill palms which represent the seven States and one Territory of Australia. The oldest of these palms are over 60 years old.

Looking south towards Melbourne, unfortunately it was a bit hazy 

While sitting enjoying the amazing vies the silence was only broken by the beautiful catter from the magpies.

"Man and Fire"
Shane McGrath and the
St Andrews Men's Shed
2013 - 2015

"Lasting Memories Mosaic Seat"
Lasting Memories Mosaic Group
St. Andrews Hall

 Lasting Memories Mosaic Seat is a large concrete seat in the style of an organic chaise lounge. The Lasting Memories Mosaic Group began this piece just after the Black Saturday bushfires on February 7, 2009. After the horrific fires ravaged through St Andrews and the surrounding areas, a group of bushfire affected ladies bravely came back to St Andrews to begin their healing in an artistic way.

Plague beside the Lasting Memories Mosaic Seat

A closeup view of some of the various pieces used in the seat. 

Each woman created something beautiful and meaningful, using remnants of crockery, glass, tiles and bricks salvaged from their own properties. This artwork identifies who they are and tells their personal "life journey"and family heritage and memories of what they had experienced before, during and beyond Black Saturday.

This closeup shot really gives the feeling of how hot the flames were
and how the sun glowed red