Sculptures stand guard

Local indigenous artists Maxine Charlie and Martha Lee have put their artistry on display for the travelling public after erecting stunning sculptures just outside Broome.

The two concrete depictions of local flora and fauna stand guard at the entrance to LandCorp’s Broome Road Industrial Estate, after they were unveiled on January 19.

Ms Charlie said the triple-winged, 8m-high design was inspired by her childhood on the former Wattle Downs station and illustrates a wattle flower with programmed internal lighting.

“The industrial park is not far from where I grew up on Wattle Downs, so I thought I’d use wattle as the design, with lights in the balls of the flower which will light up at night,” she said.

The other, a 3m x 5m depiction is inspired by wallabies standing in tall grass and feeding, artist Ms Lee said.

“I love the local wallabies and when I saw them there on site I knew they’d make an eye-catching design, then I put some coloured lines on which are for the pindan and beach of Yawuru country,” she said.

The two sculptures mark the industrial area 8km from Broome which is designed for transport, logistics, construction and equipment hire businesses.

LandCorp’s Kimberley regional manager Hilary Wilkins said the massive artworks had provided an opportunity to bring local artists together and organise a permanent stunning entry of the area.

“It has been a great privilege to work with these incredibly talented local artists in creating these amazing artworks which we believe are now some of the largest Aboriginal-designed sculptures in the State,” she said.