Three totem poles – representing the river, fish and indigenous history – have been installed between the north and south walls by the ocean at Evans Head.
The poles came about after Richmond Valley Council was approached by the Evans Head Progress Association to consider commissioning a public artwork that reflected the identity of Evans Head.
Broadwater sculptor Greg Bowering came on board with the Memorial Totems. He partnered with New Zealand sculptor Brett Sutherland to deliver the installation.
Greg is a long-time resident of Broadwater and has worked as a sculptor making commercial art since the 1990s. His work has taken him around the world and he has pieces of public art displayed at Mullumbimby, Percy Island, Queensland, Evans Head (wave sculpture) and Saint Martin, West Indies.
Brett lives in Broadwater too and has worked in the arts for more than 30 years as a sculptor. He has worked from carving bone and mammoth ivory to working on filmsets such as Lord of the Rings and Power Rangers to carving beautiful totems of indigenous birds.
The sculptors have used animal based metaphors such as the osprey, snapper and tiger prawn, as well as capturing the Bandjalang three brothers’ story.
The totems are designed to be durable against the elements. The sculptors used hardwood poles, about 3.2 metres long, by 0.4m diameter.
Crown Lands approved the installation.
Have you seen the sculptures? What do you think?
Information supplied by Richmond Valley Council.
