A BRONZE sculpture has been given the green light by the Collie Shire to be placed outside the new Collie Art Gallery.
Renowned Australian husband and wife sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner have been commissioned to create the $100,000 piece.
The decision was made following five strong submissions from local and international artists.
The money for the statute will come from $11 million allocated as part of the town's revitalisation program.
The Schattners have 20 years experience in public sculptures and have worked extensively on large bronze pieces.
Mrs Schattner said their work had been used extensively across the country.
"We have completed sculptures commissioned by many large organisations and they can be seen in Melbourne's Federation Square, the
Sydney Children's Hospital, Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Australia Zoo in Queensland to name some," she said.
They already have an idea of what they would be creating for Collie.
"We believe in art that is positive and can lift the human spirit," she said.
Much of the couple's work revolves around hybrids a combination of animal and human creatures.
"This shows a new unique human that is more loving and more in touch with the natural environment," Mrs Schattner said.
"Our desire was to look deep inside human nature and reveal the pursuit of achieving the near-impossible.
"The sculpture is a metaphor to 'reach for our dreams'.
"A large round bronze ball sits at the base and represents the physical world.
"Leaping off the ball we have sculpted a two-metre abstract female form representing the mother of all humans.
"Her out-stretched hand is reaching for four abstract stars.
"Our wish is that the human spirit will always reach for the stars and even though we may never catch them will leap further than we have before."
The artists will be donating their time, with the only cost coming from materials.
From beginning to end, the whole process is estimated to take eight months.
"After we have designed the sculpture, we then proceed to doing an accurate illustrated design which allows the customer to visualise it perfectly," Mrs Schattner said.
"The illustrated design is then used to create a large real-size clay mould.
"The clay mould stage takes eight to 12 weeks to create."
"Once this stage is approved and when everyone is happy the bronze will be cast at a bronze foundry.
"The bronze casting takes three to four months, and once completed the patina which is the colour of the bronze will be applied."
What do you think? Is the piece worth the money? Let me know: josh.delpino@fairfaxmedia.com.au
