Balga Mia Mia Sculpture Park

Rings of leaf-shaped cuts form the mark, in the rust reds and ochres of the steel. The name is cut straight into the totems, so the identity and the sculptures read as one, and it carries through to the plaque.Rings of leaf-shaped cuts form the mark, in the rust reds and ochres of the steel. The name is cut straight into the totems, so the identity and the sculptures read as one, and it carries through to the plaque.

Each totem began as a flat steel design, ready to be cut and rolled into shape. The cut-outs and perforations reflect the narrative the students interpreted: Noongar history and culture, and modern connections to a global society.Each totem began as a flat steel design, ready to be cut and rolled into shape. The cut-outs and perforations reflect the narrative the students interpreted: Noongar history and culture, and modern connections to a global society.

The site was cleared and concrete footings set into a curved garden bed. Each totem arrived fully fabricated and was fixed to its base, with production partners Structerre, Kwikcut and the Department of Justice.The site was cleared and concrete footings set into a curved garden bed. Each totem arrived fully fabricated and was fixed to its base, with production partners Structerre, Kwikcut and the Department of Justice.

Lights inside the totems and fire pit run from dusk to dawn, throwing the cut patterns out into the garden after dark. By day the steel sits quietly among balga bushes and young trees.Lights inside the totems and fire pit run from dusk to dawn, throwing the cut patterns out into the garden after dark. By day the steel sits quietly among balga bushes and young trees.

The steel was always meant to change. By 2025 the corten had weathered from dark steel to a deep, even rust, and the totems had settled into the garden growing around them.The steel was always meant to change. By 2025 the corten had weathered from dark steel to a deep, even rust, and the totems had settled into the garden growing around them.

Up close, the weathering has a texture of its own, and the light through the cut-outs keeps shifting with the day.Up close, the weathering has a texture of its own, and the light through the cut-outs keeps shifting with the day.

The garden has grown in around the totems, softening the curved limestone edge and framing the steel from every side of the path.The garden has grown in around the totems, softening the curved limestone edge and framing the steel from every side of the path.

Every pattern and letter was cut before the steel was rolled. Five years of weather have only made the edges sharper against the rust.Every pattern and letter was cut before the steel was rolled. Five years of weather have only made the edges sharper against the rust.

The balga and banksia that appear on the totems grow in the gardens around them.The balga and banksia that appear on the totems grow in the gardens around them.