He stands proudly at six metres tall, gazing across the landscape as generations of Wiradjuri people have.
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He is Heart of Country, the newest addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan public art trail.
Sculptor Damian Vick has described Heart of Country as his most powerful and important of his career to date.
He describes the work, officially opened on the Lachlan Valley Way this week, as an attempt to acknowledge the injustices endured by the Wiradjuri people, whilst also standing as testament to the collective resilience and determination of all indigenous Australians, and their profound spiritual connection with the land.
"I was extremely conscious that the creation of this work rested on a delicate cultural landscape, and that it must be approached with the gravity and sensitivity it demands," Damian said at the launch with the Forbes Arts Society.
"I felt it incumbent on me to create a work that fulfils the brief in a manner that would resonate with people regardless of their heritage, and that the best way to achieve this was by depicting a noble, strong and proud figure, but one that clearly declares and acknowledges the damage and loss inflicted upon the First Australians."
Damian said the nature of the subject matter and developing the piece in conjunction with the local indigenous community has been a profoundly enriching experience.
Forbes Arts Society chair Dr Karen Ritchie said they were thrilled to unveil the first of the four sculptures to be featured within the Lachlan Shire as part of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail expansion.
Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the unveiling of the new sculpture on the Lachlan trail was a great tribute to the area's First Nations people and would give onlookers a reminder of the long standing culture and traditions of Indigenous Australians.
"The 'Heart of Country' sculpture is a powerful and striking addition to the Lachlan trail, honouring our First Nations people, I urge locals and visitors alike to take a stroll down the trail to see this magnificent sculpture in person," Mr Farraway said.
Evolution Mining Cowal Gold General Manager John Penhall congratulated Mr Vick on his masterpiece and commended both the Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils for their shared leadership in supporting the vision of the Forbes Arts Society.
"There's a huge amount of effort that goes into coordinating and bringing all these things together and I want to acknowledge the Arts Society for everything it has accomplished with this sculpture trail to date," Mr Penhall said.
"I can't wait to bring my family to wander down the trail when it is completed."
The SDL extension is part of the 'Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project' which is proudly 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.
The trail starts in Forbes - go online to www.somewheredownthelachlan.com/home - and the project also includes the transformation of the former Forbes Ambulance Station into a cultural and arts centre and the redevelopment of the Gum Swamp bird watching facilities.
