Spirits of Time and Place
Artist: Geoffrey Ricardo
Year: 2017
Location: Kororoit Creek Trail. Access from Blackshaws road, Altona North.
Material: Concrete, fiberglass, aluminium, steel.
Description
The Toyota way project: Lower Koroit Creek has been focus for Toyota Australia for many years. Together with the Friends of the Lower Koroit Creek and Hobsons Bay City Council, Toyota has worked to highlight the natural beauty of this area.
With the end of manufacturing in Altona, Toyota wanted to leave a lasting legacy that would benefit future visitors to the area.
On National Tree Day in 2015, Toyota announced that it would fun construction of approximately 2km of a proposed 7.5km shared trail as well as site specific public art. Hobsons Bay City Council, the Victorian State Government and Melbourne Water have also contributed to this project.
Geoffrey Ricardo’s Spirits of Time and Place was selected from submissions received from artists around Australia. The work comprises of eight sculptures, which explore the symbols and metaphors of the area.
This section of the Kororit Creek Trail – ‘Toyota Way’ – is dedicated to the many Toyota employees who have worked at the Altona manufacturing plant.
Spirits of Time and Place is a set of eight playful ‘Spirits’ of this time referencing the history of Aboriginal life and culture along Kororoit Creek and the surrounding area is evident through the scattered artefacts along the Creek. Scar trees, where canoes were carved from the bark of the red gums, can be sighted along with fish and bird traps. Also referencing contemporary times with industrial change with Toyota car manufacturing closing down.
The sculptures are pictured stopped in time, walking or pausing as they move through the landscape. These are symbols and metaphors of the history of the area. A reference to the life and landscape of the area. A reflection of the changes that have happened with urbanization, industry, immigration.
About the artist
Geoffrey Ricardo has a long standing reputation in the arts, respected nationally. He has exhibited in the McClelland Sculpture Survey, Montalto Sculpture Prize, multiple Sculpture by the Sea representations including in Sydney and Perth in Australia as well as internationally. www.geoffreyricardo.com
Part of the Hobsons Bay Kororoit Creek Trail