Tree square challenge
Posted on by Debbie

Facetime with a tree #TreeSquare

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.

Tree scultpure - William Ricketts Sanctuary
Tree scultpure – William Ricketts Sanctuary

Aren’t they amazing?

Tree face scultpure - William Ricketts Sanctuary
Tree face scultpure – William Ricketts Sanctuary

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
Tree sculpture in Dandenong Vic
Tree sculpture in Dandenong Vic

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
Face time in a tree in Dandenong Ranges
Face time in a tree in Dandenong Ranges

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.

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Becky’s squares logo

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Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

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. You can read more of Deb’s story here

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26 Replies to “Facetime with a tree #TreeSquare”

  3. Pingback: PPAC #5: Brilliant Art – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  6. 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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    1. 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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  9. 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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    1. 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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