Thargomindah Busts

Cast Bronze, 2011
750mm high x 450mm wide
Thargomindah, Australia

Vincent Dowling and John Leahy were vastly different men who made great contributions to the Bulloo area of Queensland. As the viewer will discover, a whole group of symbols is gathered around the base of each bust. These symbols of the land and their achievements and legacy seem to support the figures and keep them upright. They have no traditional circular little footing (like a chess piece) because they settled inland Queensland without this traditional support. Instead everything they achieved in their lives and that supported them was of their own making and this is the history they leave. Each little supporting figure has symbolism , from the cattle and sheep, to the books and saddles.