Throughout the year, local artists have been creating beautiful works for Healesville Community Garden to delight and inspire visitors.
On Saturday, 18 December the garden held its final art event for 2021 which connected deeply with Wurundjeri culture and a respect for Country.
Aunty Kim Wandin, Wurundjeri Elder, opened the event by welcoming guests to Country. This was a poignant moment as Aunty Kim was the first artist this year to create a work for the garden. Her Bunjil’s Nest has become a community favourite. It has a strong presence at the garden and resonates with people from all walks of life. Aunty Kim made the nest to honour the Wurundjeri people’s Creator Spirit and give visitors a place to ‘offer their intent, lay their worries down, sit and contemplate or reflect’.
Lewis Wandin-Bursill, an emerging Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung artist, inscribed six Woi-wurrung words on manna gum using traditional wood burning techniques. These words were gifted to the garden by Brooke Wandin. Each word expresses an aspect of the natural world and connects to life at the community garden. The designs Lewis created for these pieces give reference to his four-times Great Uncle William Barak. Lewis is becoming skilled in carving and pyrography, creating designs that explore the patterns, symmetry and lines in nature.
The members of the Wandin family who supported this art project are proud Wurundjeri people who grew up on Country in Healesville.
Nikki Browne, sculptor, weaver, educator and Bidjara Woman living in Healesville, made a wombat and echidna out of sections of tree, fabric and shells. Nikki used non-toxic materials so that insects and other small creatures can continue to live in the wood. The animals are tactile and fun, playing on people’s curiosity to draw them into the sculpture space.
Ryan Tews’ statuesque wind chimes are made from recycled wood. This work interacts with nature every moment of the day, producing deep, gentle sounds in the breeze. It has seven tines that represent the Woi-wurrung seasons. There are sticks tucked into the sculpture for people to play the chimes and experience the work up close.
Antonia Green made three Leadbeater’s possums to raise awareness of this critically endangered species. Using recycled aluminium to create these life-sized ‘fairy possums’, Antonia has a strong message about the impacts of human activity on the environment. The adult possums are placed in a tree trunk with natural hollows which they need for sleeping and to raise young. Without a healthy forest system, they cannot survive.
Mim Kocher was one of the participating artists through the year. She created seven colourful works for the garden, which were unveiled on 28 November. These small, delightful works are not all easy to spot. Visitors are encouraged to look closely to discover these gems!
This year-long project was created by FoodPatch Art, an initiative of Healesville Community Garden; Hearth Galleries; YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub; Savaad Felich, Sculptor; and Dirtscape Dreaming. It was proudly funded through the Yarra Ranges Council 2021 Community Grants Scheme.
