Renowned artist Maree Clarke is soon to unveil her latest masterpiece - Yawa (Long Journey), commissioned by Bass Coast Shire Council as a significant addition to the public art landscape in the region.
The unveiling event on Saturday, 14 June 2025, will be open to the public and include a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and speech by Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead.
This captivating artwork, comprised of 30 intricately crafted Murrini glass panels, forms a breathtaking glass canoe suspended overhead the grand hall at Berninneit, Cowes.
Clarke, a celebrated First Nations artist of Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, and Boon Wurrung heritage, brings her profound cultural insight and collaborative creations to Yawa.
The artwork melds traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision whilst highlighting the delicate play of light and colour inspired by the surrounding wetlands and ocean.
Fabricated at Canberra Glassworks, Yawa spans an impressive 5000 x 565 x 290 mm (LWH), crafted from glass, stainless steel wire, and powder-coated steel. Its patination captures the essence of river reeds, further enriching its connection to the local environment.
Integral to Yawa's creation were community workshops held in January 2025, where over 300 participants contributed to the patterns adorning the Murrini glass panels. Led by Maree Clarke alongside three generations of her family - Kerri Clarke, Wade Mahoney, Mitch Mahoney, Molly Mahoney, and baby Yarran Clarke-Mahoney - these workshops enriched the artwork with shared cultural practices and community spirit.
