The latest instalment to Lake Illawarra's Art Trail has been unveiled on Monday, signifying the birth of Windang Island and how the cultural custodians came to be in the Illawarra.
Burri Burri (meaning whale in local Dharawal language) is the ninth sculpture commissioned for the Lake Illawarra Art Trail and created by former Shellharbour Woman of the Year Jodi Edwards, Gweagal Dharawal artist Theresa Ardler, sculptor Julie Squires and Dharawal visual artist Nicole Talbott.
"We live on matriarchal country and it's very fitting four matriarchs came together to make the sculpture happen," Dr Edwards said, noting she brought everyone together for the project.
"Theresa, Nicole and myself all have Dharawal kinship connection ... so the whale is a significant totem in our countries."
The bronze whale features two large bronze coolamons, designed to be used as seats, and is based on Gang man gang - a local Dreaming story that tells of the creation of Windang Island and how the Cultural Custodians came to be in the Illawarra.
Mayor Homer said that the artwork was designed to provide a beautiful and functional space that people of all ages can benefit from.
"It is an opportunity for people visiting the stunning Reddall Reserve to sit, play and learn about a culturally significant local story," Cr Homer said.
The unveiling of the First Nation's masterpiece coincided with national Reconciliation Day. This year's theme: "be a voice for generations", calling on Australians to honour the work of generations past who fought for justice in Australia and to work together today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the generations to come.
All artworks have been created by local artists in collaboration with the community in response to the lake, it's history and it's people. Located at Reddall Reserve, Lake Illawarra, walk or cycle the trail.
Other giant sculptures to see*
Synergy by Kane Minogue
The giant metal sculpture uses a ring of four-metre high seaweed intertwined with marine life specific to Lake Illawarra all swimming in an upward circular direction.
This design element represents the circle of life within the lake, Synergy and a sense of community.
Prawn Run by Hurricane and Laura Bestman
A family of metal prawns and a giant moon pay tribute to generations of fishermen and women who have trawled the lake for centuries for commerce and recreation.
Suspended in flight, the party of five sculpted from aluminium appear to jump right out of the water as they run under a dark tidal moon.
Split by David Ball
'Split' was featured at Sculptures at Killalea, and David was awarded the Aqualand Sculpture Prize award for his work, 'Orb' in the Sydney Sculpture by The Sea exhibition.
It's made from corten steel, representing a shape found in nature. The piece is an aesthetically dramatic framing of Windang Island.
Ghost Trees for Spirit of Place by Lizzie Buckmaster Dove and Robert Nancarrow
The work illustrates the lakes rich cultural history, and its significance to all Shellharbour's people spanning thousands of years, since our first Aboriginal people walked its shores.
Each totem has a distinct character that defines an individual aspect of the lake; sanctuary, place, memory, imagination, freedom, weather and protection.
Fauna of the Lake by Shellharbour Woodcarvers
This artwork features deep relief carving of animal species found in and around Lake Illawarra. Fish, shellfish and birds documented by the Lake Illawarra Authority are depicted in the carving and include Snapper, Yellow Fin Bream, Mud Crab, Scallop, Little Tern and Shag.
It took 352 hours and 15 members of the Shellharbour Woodcarvers to carve this artwork.
Window to the Soul by Alyssa Willstrop
Drawn from conversations with residents and children's artistic interpretations, the words and imagery in the artwork portray this significance and hope to preserve it for generations to come.
This artwork was inspired by leisure and recreational activities that take place beside the lake every day.
The Illawarra Dreaming by Aunty Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas
The artwork represents parts of two local Dreaming stories - Gang-Man-Gang (The Whale and the Starfish), the creation of Windang Island and Gurrangatty, the creation of Lake Illawarra.
The colours and materials used in this artwork are representative of the evergreen escarpment, rivers, streams, ocean and shoreline as well as the abundant food system. The shells used illustrate the middens by the lake's edge.
Leatherbacks by Jane Cavanough, Artlandish Art and Design
These concrete, mosaic and steel turtles are artistic representations of these local leatherback turtles, designed to encourage exploration, interaction and discovery through creative, imaginative play.
Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), are the largest sea turtle in the world, listed as critically endangered.
A dead leatherback turtle washed up on the Shellharbour shoreline in March 2015. It sadly died from ingesting a plastic bag and had been hit by a boat. A pair of leatherback turtles were seen swimming between Winding and Port Kembla beaches in February 2016.
*Descriptions as per Shellharbour Council's website.
People wanting to explore the art trail can download "Tread Shellharbour" app from the App Store or Google Play and take a virtual tour of the Lake Illawarra Art Trail, and read the stories behind the sculptures.
You can read our stories without having to sign in all the time by downloading the app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
Desiree Savage
I write about arts and entertainment, plus other bits and pieces in between at the Illawarra Mercury.
I write about arts and entertainment, plus other bits and pieces in between at the Illawarra Mercury.
