Sunshine spirit … Emmalou Hansen is this week’s focus for the Pride in Brimbank series. Ms Hansen hopes to pay homage to Sunshine by designing the float for the Brimbank Festival. 59035 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Belinda Nolan
And after almost two decades away from her birthplace, the artist has returned to help celebrate its rich history.
A painter and sculptor, Ms Hansen has been recruited to design the float that will be paraded through Sunshine’s main streets during the upcoming Brimbank Festival.
It is an honour Ms Hansen does not take lightly.
“It’s very exciting but at the same time it fills me with terror because I love Sunshine and I really want to do it proud,” Ms Hansen said.
Her love affair with the suburb began when she was born at the now defunct Sunshine Private Hospital.
“I was born in Sunshine, I grew up in Sunshine and I fell in love with it,” Ms Hansen said.
“And after years of living all over Melbourne, I’ve come to appreciate it even more.
“It’s such a melting pot of different cultures. Artistically, it’s such an exciting place to be and I’m so glad to be back.”
Living in Sunshine once again, Ms Hansen is only a stone’s throw from Deer Park’s Hunt Club, where the artist has set up her studio, as part of Brimbank Council’s Artists-In-Residence program.
It’s there that the magic will unfold as Ms Hansen begins to piece together the float that will pay homage to her suburb.
“To me starbursts symbolise Sunshine and that’s what I’m trying to convey,” Ms Hansen said.
“I’m not trying to be artsy-fartsy about it.
“What I’m really hoping to do is make people smile.
“I’m just hoping it doesn’t rain.”
