Wild man, 2005, is informed by Mueck’s German heritage, his knowledge of European medieval mythology, and the stories of the Brothers Grimm. The concept for Wild man was fully realized after Mueck saw Appennino, 1579, by Flemish sculptor Giambologna, a colossal, kneeling figure 11 metres high, located in the gardens of the Medici palace Villa Pratolino in Tuscany, Italy.

Known as the ‘woodwose’ in Celtic lore, the wild man is a figure of gigantic proportions typically depicted with a wooden club and full body hair. Antithetic to the civilised and known world, he was a symbol of the dark and mysterious challenges of the wilderness.

Image: Ron Mueck, Wild man, 2005, fibreglass resin, silicone, nylon, synthetic thread, plastic, metal, wood, 285 x 162 x 108 cm. Purchased through the Elisabeth Murdoch Sculpture Fund and The Balnaves Foundation, 2007. Photo Mark Ashkanasy.

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Some of you will know it as McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery – a truly a world class experience where so much incredible art is blended with nature. We love it here because you’re encouraged to walk the grounds and as you do so you stumble across incredible works of art and nature.

It’s also a great place to meet – for years now it’s our ‘halfway mark’ when catching-up with family located in town, the coffee and lunch menu are first class.

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