Sentinels - Gasworks Arts Park 2013
Gasworks Arts Park, Port Melbourne
Curator: Tracey McIrvine
January 2013, two gum trees featured prominently in Albert Namatjira's watercolours were destroyed in an arson attack.
Albert Namatjira’s artwork showed the Australian landscape in its natural vibrancy, introducing the world to the uniqueness of its light. His ghost gums stood as sentinels, spiritual custodians of our land.
As a young boy I visited these trees, etching their majesty into my memory. Their loss compelled me to reflect on sentinels within landscape and the role they play as fonts of culture.
In response to the tragic loss of the ghost gums, forged sculptures and vessels pay homage to landmarks, memories of childhood and visions for what is to come.
Sentinels Exhibition 2013 Review
Gasworks Arts Park
29 May – 16 June
A solid first solo exhibition from my friend David Wood at Gasworks Arts Park.
Conceptually the show needed a little tightening but technically the work is outstanding (as you would expect from the owner of Bent Metal and one of Melbourne’s best blacksmiths) and aesthetically pleasing. I particularly liked the topographic remapping of both Port Phillip Bay and St Kilda Junction.
Anyone who knows Melbourne intimately would recognise the ramps and walkways that bisect the interior of the junction even in their abstract form, especially the tram ramp ascending from Dandenong Road to St Kilda Road. I also admired the Nardoo sentinels, which are to be made at full size for a public park in Berwick later in the year.
Dr Marcus Bunyan (See full review here)
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