$100,000 sculptures gifted to Moruya speaks highly of exhibition centre

Duraya dhuduga barra barra (River touching sea) has been installed near the Princes Highway in Moruya. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Two eye-catching and expensive gifts to the Eurobodalla will brighten the centre of Moruya and the act of granting such high-quality artworks speaks highly of the town’s exhibition centre.

The first of the two sculptures, both by Terrance Plowright OAM and worth $100,000 each, was installed earlier in February while the second is coming soon.

The five-and-a-half-metre steel Duraya dhuduga barra barra, which means River touching sea in the Dhurga language of the Yuin nation, has been placed near the corner of Vulcan and Campbell Streets in front of Eurobodalla Shire Council’s administration building.

“A well-considered piece of public art, this impressive work will also serve as a wayfinding marker for visitors to the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre,” council’s director of community, arts and recreation Kathy Arthur said.

The exhibition centre, known as the Bas, is nearby and adjoins the town’s library.

Ms Arthur said Mr Plowright visited the shire to understand the significance of place and people before starting work on the sculpture.

She said the companion sculpture Moruya will be installed in February as well, adjacent to the sensory garden in the grounds of the exhibition centre.

“To be endowed with works of the quality of these two Plowright sculptures speaks highly for the Bas’ reputation within the arts community,” she said.

“The Plowright sculptures are the latest additions to a number of larger-scale and high-profile works in the shire, acquired under Eurobodalla’s public art strategy to ensure they are meaningful and relevant to the community.”

The donor of Duraya dhuduga barra barra wants to remain anonymous, while Moruya was donated by Basil Sellers.

Mr Plowright has created sculptures for 35 years. In 2019 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the arts, notably in sculpture. His work can be found across the country and overseas.

According to his website biography, he works on developing themes in his art that attempt to reveal the interconnectedness and innate intelligence of all life and the profoundly powerful and beautiful nature of existence.