Community to name ficifolia sculpture
The Baw Baw Shire Council is calling on community members to name Drouin Civic Park's newest sculpture.
The sculpture, which is inspired by the town's celebrated tree, the Corymbia Ficifolia, was placed in the centre of a pond in April this year but has not officially been named.
Artist Jo Caminiti, the woman behind the artwork said she provided the sculpture with a descriptive working title 'Ficifolia sculpture' while making it, and when asked by the Council for a name to put on the plaque she suggested the locals name it.
"My Ficifolia sculpture was created for and belongs to the people of Drouin. It seems fitting that they have a say in naming their new sculpture that has already become something of a landmark," she said.
"I would be thrilled if a name was forthcoming that captures the beauty and wonder of the blossom... but it's not about me, it is all about what it means to the people of Drouin, especially the ones who sit quietly and gaze at the play of light on the sculpture and it's reflection in the pond, or are uplifted by Drouin's avenues of red flowering gums - Corymbia Ficifolia - in splendid bloom."
The sculpture weighs 300kg and was worked on for four months before its installation. The artwork was the final part of the Council's $1.48 million Civic Park upgrade project.
Members of the community can submit their suggestions to the Shire through email until Sunday July 24. Shortlisted names will then be released on the West Gippsland Arts Centre Facebook page for community members to vote via a poll on Tuesday July 26. The poll will close Tuesday August 2.
The selected name will be announced at a launch event on Saturday August 20 at the Drouin Soundshell.
Names can be submitted at visualarts@wgac. com.au