By Cameron Weston
THE many threads that make up the history of the Altona Coastal Park area will be drawn together in a new public artwork.
Hobsons Bay City Council last week chose a sculpture by Bendigo artist Yvonne George for the latest public art piece in the municipality, after shortlisting three contenders from a field of eight.
Ms George’s design is informed by the history of the site, and includes references to local industries.
The sculpture depicts a cormorant standing on the back of a galloping horse, perched atop a steel and aluminium frame.
It is a nod to the “incredible” bird life Ms George saw during site visits, and the champion thoroughbred Phar Lap, who raced at Williamstown Racecourse in the 1930s.
Standing four metres high, the sculpture will also become a landmark for cyclists and walkers using the low, open wetland area, which the artist described as “a great canvas for a sculpture”.
Ms George researched the history of the Williamstown Racecourse and the surrounding area, incorporating her findings into the final product. And she was also able to indulge a personal passion along the way.
“I’m a New Zealander and I used to work for the racing industry in New Zealand so I’m very interested in horses.”
“So doing something that represented the old Williamstown Racecourse was very appealing.
“I wanted it to also represent the industrial side of the area with the materials I used, like steel.”
Mayor Leigh Hardinge, who said he was “rather impressed with the artwork”, noted that the colours on the final version of the sculpture were the subject of ongoing research.
“The (council selection) committee was very happy with the sculpture. It was chosen unanimously.
“People will be able to see it from all around and I think it will be a curio that will bring more people into the park.”
“But the colours could still change as there was some question as to what colours Phar Lap wore – red and white or red and green.”
The sculpture, as yet unnamed and estimated to cost $24,000, should be completed by June.
