GEORGETOWN - KAPOK

Kapok by Manning Daly Art. Image Credit: Phlip Vids

Georgetown, located on the traditional lands of the Ewamian peoples, is situated on the Etheridge River and was the site of a gold rush in the 1870’s. Gold fever once gripped this land and while people still find gold here, the real wealth of this region is its many natural beauties.

The shire features spectacular gorges, golden savannahs, Cobb and Co history, and globally unique railway lines. Georgetown is the administrative centre of this fascinating shire and can be reached via the fully sealed Gulf Development Road, known as the Savannah Way. One of Georgetown’s major attractions is TerrEstrial, which incorporates the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection, a fully accredited tourist information centre, library, an art display, and the newly completed Unearth Etheridge display. The Georgetown Peace Monument garden behind the TerrEstrial, is dedicated to the champions of world peace, including Dr Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Eddie Mabo, Helen Caldicott, and Julian Burnside.

During community consultations, the Georgetown community identified key thematic elements that represented their community, the landscape, and local culture. The two seasons, wet and dry, define life and livelihoods in the Etheridge Shire: each year the landscape transforms from parched dry tones of brown and gold, to luminous shades of green during the wet season. 

On one visit to Georgetown, Manning Daly Art and the project team accompanied two community members, including a Councillor, on a drive through the Etheridge area to look at local landmarks, native plants such as the kapok tree, and geological features including granite. The conversations on this drive highlighted the significance of the kapok tree to Georgetown, as well as these community members’ understanding of the significance of public art in representing and augmenting local heritage and place-identity.

“Inspiration for the art is drawn from the Kapok flower identified as a significant plant species and considered to be Georgetown’s floral emblem.

Granite boulders also indicative of local landscape will be incorporated into the design as Kapok trees appear to grow out of the granite boulders.

We acknowledge Traditional Owner David Hudson for his contribution of design elements for the sculptural work. Five granite boulders arranged in a circle represent the elements Air, Fire, Water, Earth with the fifth rock representing the Spirit of Humanity.”

Manning Daly Art