Victorian sculptor, Jimmy Rix breathed a sigh of relief when his commission piece for the Sculpture Down the Lachlan (SDL) trail was finally set in place at the Four Mile Reserve in Forbes.
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'Road Kill' was officially unveiled today following a nine month delay due to the Covid border restrictions between New South Wales and Victoria.
"I sent most of the sculpture on the semi-trailer and my plan was to head up to Forbes one week later," Jimmy said.
"However, the NSW-Victorian border closed just a few days after, and I had to wait nine months before I could cross into New South Wales to install the work."
Jimmy drew inspiration for 'Road Kill' following a trip to Forbes in 2019, at the tail end of a three year drought. The 3.5 tonne reinforced Corten steel plate sculpture, which took six months to construct, depicts a role reversal of a rebellious kangaroo taking its revenge on a busy stretch of road.
"What I noticed during my travels was two things: how dry it was and how many kangaroos lay dead on the side of the road. From this, 'Road Kill' was born. I started to think about how wild animals follow tracks, like the ones we drive on and what if, a huge similar construction of similar scale was placed in our path, what would the impact be," Jimmy added.
"I hear people complaining how they hit a kangaroo and the damage it did to their vehicle, but the poor kangaroo gets seriously injured, often losing their life. I try to place myself in the kangaroo's mind and what it would do to this menace in return. It would smash it with a cricket bat, of course!"
Chair of the Forbes Arts Society (FAS) Dr Karen Ritchie said 'Road Kill' has been "worth the wait".
"The piece is in keeping with the SDL trail's unofficial theme - challenging viewers to take a moment to think about our impact on the natural environment."
The 'Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project' has been funded by the NSW Government's Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.
Evolution Mining Cowal Gold Operation General Manager John Penhall said was proud to be leading an operation that actively supports community-led projects like Sculpture Down the Lachlan.
Member of the NSW Legislative Council Sam Farraway said the unveiling of the new sculpture on the Lachlan trail would provide onlookers with a fresh and interesting perspective, while adding to the region's growing reputation as an arts and cultural destination.
The $7 million 'Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project' also includes the construction of a new cultural and arts centre on the corner of Lachlan and Church Street and the Gum Swamp redevelopment.
