Cultural Projects & Public Art
With such rich cultural diversity, a fascinating history and variety of landscapes, it is little wonder that innovative cultural projects flourish in Hume City. Projects such as the Hume Festival of Music celebrate Hume's vibrant community.
There are also a number of public art pieces that you can visit, such as A Sense of Place at The Homestead Community and Learning Centre.
The Galgi-ngarrak Yirranboi Tree
The Galgi-ngarrak Yirranboi Tree sculpture was named by local Gunung-William-Balluck Elder Norm Hunter, who has since joined the Spirits of his ancestors.
The name means 'Backbone of Tomorrow'. The tree represents growth in the rapidly developing Hume City community, as well as the establishing of new roots by the many migrants and refugees who live in the region.
Under the guidance of sculptor and Artistic Director Wendy Golden, a number of skilled basketmakers worked with the local Hume City community to produce this amazing artwork. Basketmakers involved in the project came from Indigenous, Australian, Hmong, Samoan, Maori, Cook Islander, Turkish, Vietnamese, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Kurdish and Filipino backgrounds. The bark on the trunk and branches of the tree were made by skilled basket makers from within these traditions, while the leaves were created by local residents and visitors to Hume City. Most of the plant material used in the work is indigenous to Broadmeadows.
The Galgi-ngarrak Yirranboi Tree can be viewed at the Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows. This project was funded by VicHealth and Arts Victoria.
Garden of Friends
The Garden of Friends takes its inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern courtyard gardens and reflects the diverse cultural heritage of the local Meadow Heights community. It was designed for the courtyard at Visy Cares Learning Centre and has created an excellent opportunity for greater cross cultural understanding, as well as the basis for a beautiful and tranquil public space.
The design team comprised RMIT Public Art coordinator, Geoff Hogg, two highly qualified artists from RMIT Public Art, Mohammad Aslam Akram and Nicole Francis, and landscape architect Tim Vernon. Extensive consultation with key community groups and individuals took place, and tile-making workshops were led by Nicole Francis at the Visy Cares Learning Centre. More than 80 tiles were created in the workshops and are incorporated into the Garden of Friends.
Dallas Public Art Project - Breeze
As part of the redevelopment of the Dallas Shopping Centre Council ran a public art Community Jobs Program - Jobs and Training, funded by the State Government and VicHealth.
The program employed and trained twelve local artists from a range of cultural backgrounds to undertake community consultation and identify opportunities for public art at the shopping centre. Participants in the program received credit toward a Diploma in Public Art from RMIT University.
A proposal by local Afghan artist Aslam Akram was shortlisted by Council and the artwork BREEZE was installed at the entrance to the shopping centre.
The redevelopment of the Dallas Shopping Centre was identified as an initiative in the 'Better Living in Dallas and Broadmeadows: A Plan for Urban Renewal' plan. The aim of the redevelopment is to improve the look and feel of the Shopping Centre, improve the viability of local businesses and celebrate the cultural diversity of the local community.
A Sense of Place - Sculpture
This sculptural piece is located in the grounds of the historic Homestead Community and Learning Centre. In 1998 the Homestead was refurbished to create a community centre for the residents of Roxburgh Park.
Sculptor Dave Maxwell was commissioned to work with the community to produce a piece of work that would reflect the history of the site. The sculpture is constructed of found objects unearthed by the artist and local residents from behind the old Homestead. Pieces of broken china, bits of farm machinery, bones and even shells have all been worked into the piece. The gold base symbolises the wealth of the earth, the Indigenous painting is in recognition of the traditional owners, the sun and moon represent the passing of time and the lock symbolises the opening of door by those before us.
The Homestead Community and Learning Centre
30 Whiltshire Drive, Roxburgh Park
Melway Ref: 179, G7
Tel: 9205 2760
Art in Public Places Policy
The Art in Public Places Policy guides Council's work in ensuring Hume City communities have access to high quality, visual artworks in the public realm. Link to Art in Public Places Policy.pdf (35.25 kb)