The Victorian Government is calling for Expressions of interest from Victorian First Nations artists to create artworks at two major rail project sites in Melbourne.
The expression of culture through public art offers First Nations artists the opportunity to share cultural knowledge, inspire through creativity, and celebrate connections to country which have existed for tens of thousands of years.
The two public artworks will feature at the entrance of the Metro Tunnel in South Yarra, and at the future rail bridge being built as part of the Gap Road Level Crossing Removal.
South Yarra Siding Reserve
The South Yarra commission is for a sculptural work at the Siding Reserve next to the Metro Tunnel’s eastern entrance. The proposed artwork can be a standalone sculpture, or series of sculptural elements throughout the reserve.
The artwork will express the strong and enduring connections with Country, waterways, community and culture of Kulin Nation Traditional Owners and First Peoples who call the land we now call Melbourne and Victoria home.
It is an opportunity for artists to share cultural knowledge, inspire through creativity and celebrate connections to Country which have existed for tens of thousands of years.
Artists are being asked to explore themes of connection, movement and community in the context of Country and consider an artwork that can be a cultural marker for a new urban green space in South Yarra.
Gap Road, Sunbury
he second commission is for an artwork that will span the new rail bridge to be built over Gap Road as part of the Gap Road Level Crossing Removal in Sunbury in Melbourne’s north-west. This artwork will be imprinted on custom-designed perforated aluminium sheeting that will be installed across both sides of the rail bridge.
The artwork will express the strong and enduring connections with Country, waterways, community and culture of Kulin Nation Traditional Owners and First Peoples who call the land we now call Melbourne and Victoria home.
Artists are being asked to consider the ancient geologies of the Sunbury area. Within proximity to the new bridge are the unique natural rock formations and basalt columns of the Organ Pipes and Rosette Rock, while to the west lies the volcanic hill Mt Holden.
Artists may also choose to explore the process of layering and revealing geological histories, rock typologies specific to the area, and Indigenous cultural knowledge of earth and minerals.
Artists will be shortlisted before the successful artists are chosen by an advisory panel that includes representatives from Creative Victoria and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Victorian First Nations artists are encouraged to apply by submitting a concept idea, a statement about their artistic practice and images of previous works by Sunday 5 September 2021 (11.59pm). For more information, including selection criteria and submission form, visit: www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Artist’s impression of the new South Yarra Siding Reserve (supplied)