In partnership with the internationally renowned and locally based McClelland Gallery, ISPT’s Karingal Hub have unveiled their new immersive art sculpture, Sound Shell.
Located in Town Square, just outside Village Cinemas, Sound Shell is a 2.5m tall sculpture created by award winning artist and Peninsula local, Christabel Wigley.
Australian artist and Mornington Peninsula resident, Christabel Wigley, was awarded the public artwork commission after impressing McClelland, Karingal Hub and ISPT representatives with her
Sound Shell concept.
Sound Shell takes the form of a Turbo or Turban shell, which is commonly found on the Mornington Peninsula and culturally significant to the Bunurong people of the Karingal area.
Fabricated in aluminium on a magnified scale, the sculpture stands 2.5m tall and incorporates a unique soundscape emanating from within the shell with audio of local Bunurong language spoken by Uncle Mik Edwards and N’arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs AM and sounds of a wedge-tailed eagle recorded by Vicki Powys, representing the origins of the land.
“Sound Shell has been inspired by the beauty and evocative nature of a seashell,” said artist Christabel Wigley. “The pattern has been hand-crafted and carved from a giant block of polystyrene, with plaster sculpting ridges and nodes applied to produce the Turbo shell.”
“I hope the final result will spark discovery and interaction, probing memories of place and connection to nature.”
Director of McClelland, Lisa Byrne, said the sculptural commissioning was a significant step for the local community on many levels.
“This represents a collaboration between business, a major cultural institution and an important artist to achieve a public artwork that will really resonate with visitors to the new Town Square,” said Ms Byrne.
“Importantly, the work combines two themes which are central to McClelland’s mission – promoting the benefits of spatial practice and environmental integration while privileging and consulting First Nation’s knowledge,” she said.
“Christabel Wigley’s Sound Shell is the perfect centrepiece for our Town Square precinct and the first piece of commissioned art as part of Karingal Hub’s Art Trail,” said Richard Devlin, Centre Manager of Karingal Hub Shopping Centre.
“The Sound Shell and Karingal Hub’s Art Trail project further connect the centre to the broader Peninsula community in an engaging, meaningful and artistic way. With pieces reflecting the local landscape, flora and fauna.”
For more information about the Sound Shell and Karingal Hub’s Town Square Art Trail, visit: www.karingalhub.com.au for details.
Image: Christabel Wigley, Sound Shell, 2022, aluminium, stereo sound – photo by Rohan Shearn