Welcome to Day #8 of Tree Squares (I’m not posting everyday!)
Sculptures and Trees
Reading Marsha’s post recently Barking up the Wrong Tree Day #5, made me remember these faces and sculptures from a few years ago.
Aren’t they amazing?
Where were these sculptures?
A few years ago, my sister and brother-in-law took me for a drive out to the Dandenong area, outside of Melbourne, to the William Ricketts Sanctuary on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
Although these look like they are carved into the trees they are actually made of clay and attached to the trees.
William Ricketts was a controversial guy by the sounds of things but he was undoubtedly clever. His sanctuary is now a lovely peaceful place with winding paths through trees and rainforest gullies with sculptures dotted around the place.
Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, featuring extraordinary sculptures of people and animals half-hidden in the natural environment, just waiting to be discovered.
Interconnecting paths take you on a magical tour of cool temperate forest, lush fern gullies, and the 92 striking sculptures, perfect for quiet reflection and contemplation of the vision of artist William Ricketts.
Source
Hidden away in a dense inlet along the winding Mt Dandenong Tourist Road is the internationally renowned William Ricketts Sanctuary. The sanctuary is not only one the Dandenong’s more iconic experiences, but one of the most inspiring and tranquil places on the mountain.
A quiet gentleman who had spent much time living with aboriginal communities in central Australia, William Ricketts created the sanctuary as a place for quiet reflection and replenishing the spirit. He believed that all Australians should adopt Aboriginal philosophies, respecting the spirituality of the mother earth and all things in the natural world. Some of his works throughout the grounds also depict his feelings on the takeover and devastation of white man into the natural environment.
Information at William Ricketts Sanctuary
Becky’s Squares
Becky’s square theme for July is Trees – here’s a link to her post today – it’s a monthly challenge where Becky posts a square photo every day and invites us all to join in, either daily or spasmodically as the whim takes us! I’m posting spasmodically. There’s no pressure to join in every day 🙂
Also linking up with Cee for her Photographing Public Art Challenge #4
I hope you enjoyed seeing these delightful tree sculptures. I’m happy to share them with you.
Deb 🙂
All my #TreeSquare posts can be found here
PS: A brief apology (#sorrynotsorry) to some readers who may get tired of my extra posts and my photos of trees – I’m enjoying myself and I hope you are entertained too.
Recent posts:
- Taking Stock while travelling
- Water is the driving force of all nature – the Rivers Yeo and Axe #SundayStills
- Exploring the other side of the world in May #WBOYC
- Down the Wookey Hole: Wordless Wednesday
- Looking back at special books #WOYBS
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
oh these are fabulous, and yes I think we could learn much from other cultures specially the Aboriginals.
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Yes I agree, we must be far more open to hearing and sharing for a start!
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How fascinating! Thank-you for posting.
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My pleasure Teressa, they were pretty amazing sculptures.
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They are really lovely and yes, I thought at first that the tree itself had been carved!
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I had to go back and check my notes as I thought at first they’d been carved into the trees but no, they were sculptures added on. Thanks Sarah for your visit and comment.
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Those tree sculptures are very moving. Your photographs capture that perfectly!
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Yes the sculptures look so real don’t they Donna?
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Such beautiful and evocative sculptures! I would love to see them in person.
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This is a fabulous post, Deb. The clay looks like part of the tree. I saw some other “tree sculptures” in Melbourne at a park that I’m going to feature at the end of the month. They don’t look a thing like part of the tree. This is such a unique post. You should also link this post on Cee’s Photographing Public Art Challenge on Friday. It’s definitely public art!
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Yes Marsha, the clay fits perfectly onto the tree. Thanks for the mention to join up with Cee’s challenge. I’ll have a look!
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Wow! Great find! Catchy title too! Ha!
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Thanks 🙂
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There is so much feeling in those faces – they look almost alive.
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They really do look almost alive, I loved them!
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Been there, done that. Lovely space. Thanks Debbie for reminding me of this awe inspiring sanctuary. I might well have to return again to experience its tranquility and reflections.
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That’s lovely to hear you’ve been there too Ingrid, it’s such a shame we can’t visit anymore but the memories and photos help ease the pain.
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Oh what cool artwork you found for this week. Wonderful post. 😀 😀
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Thanks Cee, it was good to share with you for your challenge.
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Wow! 92 statues to be discovered! Is your time limited? 🙂 I’d love to find them all!
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No real limit apart from opening hours, you can just wander all day – they are fabulous to see.
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Oh, my goodness, what a treat to learn about these sculptures. They are so organic that they appear to have grown straight out of the tree. Or maybe were somehow ‘grafted’ to the tree. Beautiful pieces and very special interpretations for the Tree Square challenge.
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Thanks Leslie, they really are grafted onto the tree in a way and very unique.
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The texture of the sculpture looks interesting. It almost looks like stone.
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They were so interesting Julie and yes they do seem like stone and they’re so cleverly attached to the trees.
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