The newest piece of public art in the North Gardens sculpture park will be developed by Wadawurrung artist, Kait James.
The artwork will tell the story of Time, Place, Country and Culture which may include stories about the geography and geology of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat and the larger Western Basalt Plains.
Kait’s work asks questions relating to self, perception and the collective lack of knowledge of Indigenous culture and community and exploring her identity as an Australian woman with Indigenous and Anglo heritage.
Wadawurrung artist Kait James said creating a new work for the North Gardens Sculpture Park is both an honour and a profound responsibility.
“It offers an opportunity to share our rich culture with the broader community, I’m thrilled to not only contribute to this space but also follow in the footsteps of my cousin Deanne Gilson, who created Murrup Laarr in 2019,” she said.
Kait will now commence working on the concept for the design for the newest addition to the North Gardens Sculpture Park.
The North Garden Indigenous Sculpture Park is located on the edge of Lake Wendouree and an important site for the traditional owners of the land, the Wadawarrung people.
Launched in 2019, the North Gardens Indigenous Sculpture Park is a significant project for the City of Ballarat and is designed to feature works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, celebrating the richness and diversity of culture and telling important cultural stories.
The sculpture park highlights the cultural connections to Country and the Wadawurrung people’s occupation of the land surrounding Ballarat.
This piece of art will join the inaugural sculpture in the park, Murrup Laar by local Wadawurrung artist Dr Deanne Gilson.
Murrup Laar was created using local basalt stones to tell Wadawurrung stories of dreaming, memory and ceremony.
City of Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates said the sculpture park is a place to celebrate and respect the environment and the long‐standing relationship the Wadawurrung have with their Country.
“It is important to have public art that symbolises continuing traditions, of healing, ecologies and a venue for gatherings to celebrate the spirit of the Lake Wendouree landscape,” she said.
