‘The sculptures are either walking or pausing as they move through the landscape and each represents a Spirit of time and place, a reflection and discussion of the many things we are as human beings. They provide symbols and metaphors of the history of the area. The aim for the legacy of the project is to create a set of metaphorical works that are strongand give a profound sense of space.’

The Hobsons Bay City Council Art Project Advisory Group were unanimous in making their decision to award nationally recognised, local Brooklyn artist, Geoffrey Ricardo the Kororoit Creek Shared Trail commission for his work, A Strange Trail of Beasts, Spirits and Guardians.

The Project Advisory Group felt that Ricardos work responded meaningfully to the site and the themes set out in the project brief and that the whimsical humorous nature of the work would be greeted with delight as people encountered them while using the new shared trail for walking and cycling.

Ricardo will create a series of 8 figurative sculptures, interspersed with text plots. The sculptures are either walking or pausing as they move through the landscape and each represents a Spirit of time and place, a reflection and discussion of the many things we are as human beings. They provide symbols and metaphors of the history of the area. The intent is to invite a playful response from the viewer while allowing for further interpretation and multiple readings. These works will act as a way of describing the history of the area; the pre-colonial life and landscape, the changes that have happened with urbanisation, industry, immigration and the remaining wildlife of the area.

Each work will have an impression of a stratified layer to give the effect of time, with one epoch/period layered above the previous. The aim for the legacy of the project is to create a set of metaphorical works that are strong and give a profound sense of space. Where the work has reference to Indigenous people this will be done with consultation with Indigenous Elders to ascertain what is appropriate in terms of appropriation, respect and reference.

Pictured above are examples of the eight figures, which will stand at approximately 3 meters tall and be constructed from mixed materials including concrete, fibreglass, resin and aluminium. Below are images of the works in progress in the artists studio.

People have been prominent around that area for a very long time Indigenous and then waves of immigrants theyre guardians reflecting different aspects of the area, says Ricardo.

The Kororoit Creek Shared Trail sculptures will be revealed to the public in July 2017.