I AM invites
you to place yourself within the sculpture and take a photograph, then upload
it to your favourite social media platform and tag #IAMGeelong
Mark
Cuthbertson
I AM 2021
cast concrete
Current Location: Opposite 1 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
This public art commission has been developed in
partnership with VALiD and ArtGusto, with Community Support Funding through the
Victorian Government.
The City of Greater Geelong has commissioned artist, Mark
Cuthbertson to create this public sculpture celebrating members of our
community who have a lived experience with disability. Working with artist
collaborators Robert Croft, Hannah Wilkinson, Christian Den Besten and George
Macaronis, Mark has developed a large-scale text-based work entitled “I AM”.
Drawing reference from powerful political and pop culture
statements such as the 1968 Memphis black sanitation workers slogan “I AM a
man”, and Helen Reddy’s 1971 anthem “I AM woman”, the work celebrates the
empowerment of diversity in our society.
Over 85 community members contributed to the artwork
development in a series of workshops facilitated by the artist to inform the
final design. The resulting text-based works have been curated by the artist
and cast into the side profiles of the letters.
Created from white concrete and inlayed with textural
features, the artwork stands over 2 metres tall and can be laid out in
different configurations in the open space. The sculpture is relocatable – and
will be a feature at a range of sites across the municipality– ensuring wide
access to all community members.
I AM is currently installed in its inaugural position in a
prominent location on the waterfront adjacent the Carousel.
To find out more about the process of making this work, and to view the documentary of participants, please visit ArtGusto's website.