Metal Matriarchs Join Central Coast First Contact Heritage Project
Our Metal Matriarchs participants will play a vital role in the Central Coast First Contact Heritage Project, led by the University of Newcastle with respected cultural leader and local Traditional Owner, Gavi Duncan.
The project shares stories of early encounters between Europeans and the Darkinjung people, inviting reflection on history, colonisation and ongoing impacts.
Guided by designs prepared by Gavi Duncan, our participants will cut, roll and galvanise the sculptural elements. Many are matriarchs of their families and describe the project as building “a sense of pride” and “self-worth”. They hope it encourages other First Nations women to “have a go” and that their children will proudly say, “my mum made that”.
Once complete, the reflective, illuminated sculpture will be mounted on sandstone prepared by Dharug man Adam King at the University of Newcastle’s Gosford campus. It will invite reflection on local cultural heritage and stand for years to come as a lasting public artwork.
With thanks to Alison Preece, Brendan Ritchens and James Cross from The Skill Engineer, who are contributing to the project delivery, and to Mike McCarthy of Skilled Creative, who will be documenting the process through film and photography!
Metal Matriarchs is made possible thanks to the NSW Government’s Return to Work Pathways Program. Our wonderful partners include WISE Employment, Bara Barang Corporation Ltd and Intech Institute of Technology.
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