Navigation (2015) - Fonofale McCarthy

Address: Saltwater Community Centre, 153 Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook

Acquired through: Wyndham City Capital Works program

About the Artwork:

This artwork was inspired by the natural environment, the surrounding landscape of Saltwater and its local community. Through a process of community engagement with the local residents (through several local community based workshops), people were given the opportunity to share what is important to them and freely expressed their ideas, identity, culture, traditions, hobbies, goals and aspirations.

Each panel presents its own unique design to represent life in the community, navigating through the diverse ethnicities that shape and share the environment, fostering unification and respect for one another.

The artwork is positioned in the main entrance to usher visitors into a place of refuge from the world, a place they call home, a place with a sense of belonging and ownership. It plays homage to the individual, people and family; referencing their life experience, journey, relocation, migration, movement and collectively embracing this new community and adopted land.

Materials: Perforated Steel, Paint

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

Wyndham City Council recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first Peoples of Australia. We acknowledge the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples as Traditional Owners of the lands on which Wyndham City operates. The Wadawurrung and Bunurong Peoples have and always will belong to the Werribee Yalook (river), creeks, stars, hills and red clay of this Country. We pay respect to their Ancestors and Elders who always have, and always will, care for Country and community today and for future generations.