By Halina Baczkowski
Copyright abc
Steel artworks of rustic cars and farm trucks, surrounded by sculpted ibises, greet travellers as they drive into Goondiwindi on the Queensland–New South Wales border.
They are just the introduction to a sculpture trail through the town and along the Macintyre River featuring, among other large pieces, a fish skeleton made from old farming equipment, and a huge pelican.
Farmers and artists transform Goondiwindi
A significant part of Goondiwindi’s outdoor gallery is the work of cattle and grain farmer Angus Wilson, who, along with other local artists, has made the town a destination for monumental sculpture, giving old farm parts new life.
He is also president of Lanescape, a community-led art movement, formed in 2018 when the region was in the grip of drought and looking for something to invigorate Goondiwindi and attract tourists.
A trained architect, he returned to the farm after his studies and followed in his artistic mother’s footsteps.
Lanescape secretary Tracey Jensen said the local art initiative was born out of a shared community desire.
“There were a few of us that simultaneously came up with the same idea, [we] went to council and they connected us all together and Lanescape was born out of that.”
The collective effort has transformed the town into a thriving gallery, featuring a laneway of murals and art, and the sculpture trail of big steelworks along the highway and river.
The laneway is central to this Friday’s annual Goondiwindi Art Festival, which offers locals a creative outlet and encourages those would not consider themselves artists to have a go.
“It’s all about just creating these spaces that people can come and enjoy and participate in,” Ms Jensen said.
The town’s artistic strength was highlighted this year when two local sculptors exhibited in the Swell Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.
New life for old machinery parts
Angus Wilson’s monumental steel and stone sculpture Tree of Life, which weighs almost 2 tonnes and stands 4 metres high, is back in town on permanent display and will help raise funds for a local men’s mental health charity.
The second sculptor, Tom Pall, discovered art through his love of welding.
He had contemplated entering the Swell competition for more than a decade before finally taking the plunge with his intricate work that portrays a “mash up of brain, beast and machine.”
Pall captured the Lanescape philosophy with his advice for those sitting in their sheds and wondering if they should participate in art festivals.
“Just have a go. What’s the worst that can happen?” Pall said.
Ms Jensen beamed with pride when talking about both artists.
“It’s so exciting to have two local sculpture artists, you know, featured in Swell Festival,” she said, adding that Lanescape plans to bring Pall’s work to the riverbank soon as well.
The Goondiwindi Lanescape Festival is on Friday, October 10 from 5 to 9pm.
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