Second Nature
Artist: Jade Oakley
Year: 2022
Materials: Steel, Stone, and Etched Concrete
Location: The Avenue Park (Linear Park), Caroline Springs
Commissioner: Melton City Council
Second Nature by artist Jade Oakley is a sculpture inspired by the patterns of growth in nature, and how these patterns are echoed in the growth of a community. It consists of two elements; etched patterns in the pathways and a sculptural form that provides a central-point for visitors – a place of shelter and play at the heart of The Avenue Park.
Drawings gathered during community art workshops have been etched into the pathways leading up to the playground, where the main sculptural element is situated. These drawings tell the story of growth, progressively changing from growth patterns found in nature to the pattern of community growth through the drawings of maps.
By commissioning this piece here at The Avenue Park in Caroline Springs, Council is realising part of our vision for developing public art and distinguishing the City of Melton as a place with a growing creative identity.
The quality of our integrated public art encourages both visitors and residents to explore their surroundings. It nurtures civic pride and contributes to the development of a diverse, equitable, safe and connected City that people are proud to be a part of. In other words, it’s a valuable and integral part of the fiber that makes up our community.
Discover this artwork yourself at The Avenue, Caroline Springs.
About Jade Oakley
In a spirit of discovery and experimentation in her studio practice Jade creates delicate, joyful artworks. She is endlessly excited by the process of transforming materials from solid to ethereal, for example perforating metal by hand until it is more air than metal or creating kinetic artworks from steel that drift on a breath.
To Jade, the great challenge and delight of public work is adapting her delicate studio work to become large scale and enduring works. She is intimately involved in the process, collaborating with architects, designers and fabricators transforming the authentic, unique artwork created with her own hands through sophisticated, innovative fabrication processes without losing the ‘magic’ of the original work.
Making art for public spaces has also made Jade increasingly interested in how people use public spaces and how the public can interact with an artwork. This interaction can be a physical interaction – playing, climbing, the artwork and a gathering space – or a conceptual exchange, where it communicates a concept to the viewer. Better still is when an idea or theme from the community is reflected back to the viewer.
Jade strives to make artworks that are visually integrated with their site. She feels strongly that public sculpture should have a strong thematic relationship with the natural or cultural history of its setting. Aesthetically the artwork should feel that it belongs in the space, whilst also becoming a landmark feature.
Jade Oakley is represented by Creative Road.
www.jadeoakley.com.au
Image Credit: Carolyn Price