Blue Sheep
a pilot by the Geelong Arts
Alliance for …such fertile ground…
10
October 1999
Blue Sheep was the first project by the newly formed
Geelong Arts Alliance and also the first pilot of…such fertile ground… a statewide community art project initiated
by Regional Arts
Victoria.
Blue Sheep was conceived as a temporary, site specific
work inspired by Geelong’s industrial origins in the wool industry and incorporating
the city’s iconic colours. Artist Glenn Romanis developed a design that
is a map of the Geelong region/Wathaurong country, with its stylistic origins
in the line work of traditional South Eastern Australian aboriginal art. Blue Sheep depicts the You Yangs, Corio Bay and
the confluence of the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers. But the work also makes reference
to contemporary concerns about environmental degradation caused by grazing and
genetic engineering.
Blue Sheep was recorded as an aerial photograph and reproduced
as a postcard
in a set of 12 such fertile ground images.
**
Sheep Sound Sample **
The Blue Sheep workers were supported by a Steering Group and a team of volunteers
Venue: Gordon
Dodson's farm, Mannerim
Artistic Director: Donna Jackson
Project Artist: Glenn Romanis
Community Coordinator: Sue Hartigan
Aerial Photography: Chris Bunston
Skyworks
Blue Sheep Steering Group
Leanne Stein, Mardi Janetzki, Sue Jones, David Dellafiora, John O’Neil
Special thanks to Ken Romanis, Graeme Perkins and especially Gordon Dodson.
Funders and Sponsors
City of Greater Geelong, Alcoa Australia, Bay Hire, and BHP Wire Products