Sculpture Walk 2012 Inspired by Wireless Hill

The contributing artists have been inspired by Wireless Hill Park which includes Australia’s oldest standing telecommunications site, a powerful Indigenous history and a wonderfully diverse natural environment.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said, “The Sculpture Walk is the first in a range of events being held during 2012 to celebrate the centenary of Wireless Hill.”

“Both the opening and the exhibition itself are free to attend and I encourage the public to bring a picnic, enjoy the artworks and the view and maybe even purchase a sculpture – all of which are for sale!”

Artist Mick Holland said his laser and plasma cut recycled steel sculpture Send and Receive relates to the themes of remoteness and connectivity.

“For instance, it has the sail-like structure of the first tall ships that sailed up the Swan River, viewed by the Aboriginals from Yagan’s Lookout – now more commonly known as Wireless Hill,” Mr Holland said.

“The abstract cut-out shapes represent destruction of the local bush as well as radio wave communications sent from the Wireless Hill tower to ships navigating the Australian coast. Viewers are invited to look at and through the sculpture, engaging with the piece and the environment in which it stands.”

The 2012 Sculpture Walk artists are: Sheryl Chant, Jon Denaro, Richard Foulds, Richard Hammer, Mick Holland, Kirsten Hudson, Tony Jones, Amanda Lin, Belinda Mettam, Gordon Mitchell, Maris Raudzins, Helen Seiver, Dianne Souphandavong, Yuko Takahashi and Melville Senior High School.

The Sculpture Walk exhibition will run from Saturday, 25 February to Sunday, 11 March 2012.

The free opening will be held at Wireless Hill Park, Telefunken Drive, Ardross on Friday, 24 February from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided at the opening so please RSVP your interest to attend by Monday, 20 February 2012 to 1300 635 845 or email melinfo@malville.wa.gov.au or visit www.melvillecity.com.au/arts.

Background
The Wireless Station was built in 1912 by the German Company, Telefunken and Co, and used in World War I and II. It was used to send medical advice to ships with no doctor, as well as communicate with the Antarctic bases.

The Station was officially decommissioned in 1967 and vested in City of Melville in August 1969 and named Wireless Hill Park in February of 1971. The Telecommunications Museum officially opened on October 14, 1979.

Since the City of Melville purchased the site in 1969 it has worked to protect, maintain and enhance its environmental, cultural and natural heritage, recreational and aesthetic values.

From 2007 to 2009 the City of Melville worked with the community and other key stakeholders to develop a future vision for Wireless Hill. This process culminated in a vision document produced by the City in 2009, named Wireless Hill Vision 2020 – Key Themes and Objectives for the Future of Wireless Hill.

The park contains approximately 38 hectares of remnant bushland surrounding two hectares of park land, including a museum, caretaker’s cottage and several other built structures.

For further information on the 2012 Wireless Hill Centenary Celebrations visit the City of Melville at www.melvillecity.com.au/wirelesshill or call 1300 635 845.