Toolangi Sculpture Trail (Toolangi)
The Toolangi Sculpture Trail showcases the works from the international sculpture event held at the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre in 1996. The sculptures are the work of a diverse group of top professional artists from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Many of the original sculptures are still visible along the trail. They are all in different states of decay as intended. Information boards along the trail give you some basic information about the artist and the inspirations behind their work. Over the years some sculptures have been added.
The distance of the sculpture trail is 1.5 km which is about a 45 minute duration return.
Toolangi Sculpture Trail Map (Original)
1. Leon Puruntatameri
2. Allan Cosio
3. Brigid Cole-Adams
4. Mika Ebata
5. Ingo Kleinert
6. John Davis
7. 'The family' by Savaad Felich
The family figures are carved from recycled jarrah warehouse timbers and are situated beneath a canopy of tall trees. The family group is viewing the majestic height of the trees leading upwards and skywards and encouraging us to look beyond our sphere.
8. 'Two forms - from the Lost Heritage' by Azhar Manan
Hand crafted utilitarian objects, the cultural heritage of my people, in harmony with nature reflecting the ethos of traditional society, are disappearing before they are fully explored. The fishtrap, oversized and useless, not placed in a stream but hanging from a tree and open to decay is main statement. Symbolic of disappearing values.
9. 'Jonon Hongor' by Ser-Odyn Sarantsatsral
The horse, the Mongolian symbol of strength, is a reflection of the energy released by the tall messmate forest and its aesthetic value and it's service to mankind. It is a sentinel placed on the border of the wild forest growth and the tranquility of cultivated rolling meadows extending to the Yarra Vialley below. It reminds us that both environments are necessary and need to be respected.
10. 'Horizontal Interference' Shahid Sajjad
The chaos in human relationships and in the family, the neighborhood and different cultures is the question. No answer is intended. This is passed to the next generation.
Toolangi Sculpture Trail Map (Published in 2016)
10. 'The wood Wide Web' by Christen Jo Stone
Below ground mycorrizhal fungal networks in the forest originating at ancient mother trees allow plants to distribute resources and send warnings of attack with both benefitting from their mutual association. Clear felling, fungicides, tilling and upsetting natural subsoil layers destroys this social network of plants illustrated here with the human nervous systems on the felled mother tree.
13. 'Hide' by Klara Kelvey
The construction of 'Hide' was a negotiation between the imposition of the urban fence and the irresistible power of the forest. The Australian native timber fence used to construct 'Hide' reflects part of the history of settlement. The final stages of 'Hide' will be the process of the forest growing over and reclaiming the fence. 'Hide' provides a quiet space for contemplation in the forest environment. 'Hide' is a functioning bird hide. Sightings can be recorded on the blackboard.
14. 'SYZYGY' - a pair of connected or corresponding things by Brigit Heller
Inspired by Mika Ebata's 'Forest' Wind', 'Syzygy' has been created with a variety of collected dead branches that reflect on the different stages of a fallen free. The act of cutting, sorting and stacking is looking at the individuality of each plant and the inner life that is hidden under the bark of each tree.
by Brad Sexton
This sculpture represents the delicate balance between community and the forest environment. Working with DELWP we are committed to providing the community resources, forest access, recreational sites and education whilst protecting the forest's historical, cultural, fauna and flora values.
'Totems in the Forest' by students of all ages with Avis Gardner
Totems are a universal symbol that serve as an emblem of a group of people, a reminder of ancestry or communication of a specific message. These totemic collaborative sculptures provide observable habitat for the smallest creatures in the forest. They remind us that we are part of an interdependant ecosystem where all living creatures need shelter and as humans we need to protect their environment. All the marks on the ceramic components have been made by students impressing materials sourced from the forest.
Totems 1 & 2: Dixons Creek Primary School, Grades 3 4 5 & 6
Totems 3 & 8: Ellimatta Youth Inc & Melbourne University Early Learning Centre
Totems 4 & 5: Kinglake Primary School, Grades 1 - 6
Totems 6 & 7: Healesville Primary School, Grades 4 5 & 6
Totems 9 & 10:Chum Creek Primary School, Grades 1 - 6
Cost:
Free
Review:
As you travel on the Healesville-Kinglake Road in the direction of Healesville, go past the C.J Dennis Hall, past the Fire Station and look for the Forest Discovery Centre sign. The lovely Forest Discovery Centre is unfortunately now boarded up and not used (apparently not sufficiently fire rated). The sculpture trail is in a rather dilapidated state and can be a bit tricky to find. At the Discovery Centre follow the sign "Yea River Walk" and then head into the bush when you come across the Sculpture Trail sign (but do not cross the road). Along the path there are some information signs covered in in-grained mud which is hard to read. The trail is fairly distinct and can be followed easily enough, even though it is a bit overgrown. It is quite exciting to find the sculptures along the way. The trail shouldn't take more than about 30 minutes. When you get to the end of the trail, about 50m downhill there is a shelter with some displays on logging, BBQs and table.
Photos:
Location
Healesville-Kinglake Road, Toolangi 3777 View Map
Web Links
→ The Best Family Activities in the Yarra Valley
→ www.exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/activities/walking-in-victoria/toolangi-sculpture-trail
