There is a charge for entry to the site. You can see pictures from the entrance route at the bottom of the filmstrip. This is a very short trail to a high point in the desert with a series of impressive sculptures. The path is a firm sealed surface from the nearest car park though there are short gradients as steep as 13% (1:8) for 10-15m. The story of Broken Hill Sculptures Symposium is told on the notice boards around the trail.

Surveyed by: Ian Newman, November 2015 (Autumn)
Accessibility Rating: 2
Distance: 0.2 km

Full Profile

The information board at the start of the trail gie details of the Symposium that created the sculptures

There is a seat at the car park by the start of the trail.

Thomasina (Jilarruwi - the Ibis) Thomas Munkanome - Tiwi, Bathurst Island) As with most Tiwi artists, Thomas developed his art under the watchful eye of 'the old men' - experienced Tiwi carvers from Nguiu on Bathurst Island. His sculpture of a water Bird, neck stretched upward catching a fish, is named after Thomas' daughter, born during the symposium. Thomas returned to Bathurst but sadly the child died several weeks later Viral meningitis. The unfinished sculpture may be viewed as a metaphor for the cjild's brief life.

Motherhood, Badri Salushia - Tiblisi,Georgia Badri graduated from Tbilisi Art Acadamey and was a senior member of the Georgian Red Cross. He could not communicate with his family throughout the weeks of the symposium because of the war in Azerbigan and his Melancholy is reflected in his work. His classic sculpture theme was influenced by a sense of purity which he found at the Syposium site. Badri commented "The Child is a portrait of my son and the fine details are left to your own interpretation."

The Bride (Australia) Dr Mahomad Mira - Damascus, Syria Mahomad studied sculpture at Damascus University and Albazar Sculpture School in France. His work depicts a reclining woman on the near point of the back, with her face and breasts facing the sunlight. On the body of the Sculpture are Australian icons -the Southern Cross, emu and kangaroo. Other symbols represent Aborigines and the City of Broken Hill. A hand is raised in greeting.

Moon Goddess, Conrad Clark (UK) - Katoombah, NSW Conrad was born and raised in the UK and had extensive experience in a variety of sculptural mediums. During the symposium, Conrad taught techniques to visiting students, and additional work carved at the site is now on display in the Broken Hill Entertainment Centre Plazza. Conrad's sculpture is best described in his own words, "I worked around the rock discovering, within it, the moon. I recalled an Aboriginal legend of a woman who steals the moon and places it in a dilly bag. You can see the legend in the sculpture."

Habitat, Dr Ahmad Al Ahmad - Damascus, Syria Ahmad is a Bedouin and grew up living a traditional Bedouin life. He studied sculpture and Fine Arts in Damascus and Warsaw. Ahmad's sculpture is symbolic of the interior shapes 'that keep a loving family together'. Commenting on the Symposium Ahmad said, "Around here I feel that this has been a home or a habitat for thousands of years. The landscape protects this warmth and kindness as happens within a family. All things are together. In many respects the sculpture is like a map of the surrounding hills but it is more to represent the spirit of the place."

Bajo El Sol jaguar (Under the Jaguar Sun), Antonio Nava Tirado - Mexico City, Mexico Antonio is an Aztec Indian who studied at the National School of Painting, Sculpture and Printing, Mexico City. His sculpture is based on the music of Jarge Reyes, 'Bajo El Sol Jaguar'.Use of the sun and moon depicts the duality and Night is represented by the star of Venus. The mouth of the Jaguar takes the sun at night to protect it. Day is represented by the circle created by the sun.

A resent from Fred Hollows in the Afterlife, Lawrence Beck (Symposium Director) - Koolewong, Australia Lawrence studied sculpture in Sydney, Lndon and Sofia. His work is featured in many galleries in both Australia and overseas. It was Lawrence's single-minded determination which led to the Symposium. He describes his sculpture, cryptically as: "My work is an extension of strata of the hill. All matter is love, even hard Wilcannia sandstone.Only Fredand I truly know what the sculpture is."

Nhatji (Rainbow Serpent), Badger Bates - Broken Hill, Australia Badger, a Sites Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service is widely regarded as on of the local region's best beshmen. During the Symposium, Badger felt a spiritual link with his ancestors who left magnificent stone carvings at Mutawintji National Park. This was his first attempt at sculpting stone, having previously established a national reputation in emu egg carving and lithographs. The work is dominated by rainbow serpents travelling north. As the serpents always lived near water, a pool was carved between them. The footprint is a duality, being both the god Gullawirra journeying from Broken Hill to Mutawintji and Fred Hollows stepping into the afterlife. The hand stencils represent three genertions of the Bates family. Other symbols include two interlinked water holes and a single water hole with animal tracks as well as a sand goanna.

Tiwi Totems, Gordon Pupangamirri - Tiwi,Bathurst Island The Tiwi peopleof Bathurst Island have a long tradition of carving burial poles. The poles are purchased by institutions and private buyers throughout the world. This was Gordon's first attempt at sculpting instone and the development of technique is evident, particularly on the eastern side of the sculpture. The sculpture represents a traditional burial pole with motifs of birds, fish and a tortoise.

Horse, Jumber Jikiya - Rustiva, Georgia Jumber studied sculpture in Tbilisi and, at the time of the Symposium, was President of the Georgian Sculpture Society. He was particularly impressed by the symposium site. "My first thoughts were that the stone arrangement was so powerful in itself, that the Symposium was already complete and we could go on holiday!" Jumber's work is a tribute to horses.In his word, "People must be aware of the nobility of the horse.At Stalin's request, all the Georgian horses (aspecial European Breed) were slaughtered."