Mount Gambier’s $136k Cast in Blue sculpture revealed

This long-awaited $136k bright blue artwork is finally here in SA – and debate is raging. Have your say.

A highly-controversial bright blue sculpture depicting a mythical megafauna creature, known by locals as the “blue blob”, has been unveiled in the centre of Mount Gambier.

The Cast in Blue artwork, commissioned by the council, was intended to elevate the city’s artistic profile and has been widely criticised for its unusual design and $136,000 price tag.

The contemporary work, in the colour of the famous Blue Lake, was inspired by historic discoveries of marsupial megafauna that roamed the region thousands of years ago.

Despite being known online as the “blue blob”, Mayor Lynette Martin believed the creature would become a key attraction outside of the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre.

The Cast in Blue sculpture outside the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre. Picture: City Of Mount Gambier

“The story behind Cast in Blue really resonated with us,” Ms Martin said.

“At first glance, it’s bold and unexpected, but when you learn how deeply it connects to our region’s palaeontological and geological history, you understand its appeal.

“This is what beacon art does, it draws you in, sparks curiosity and encourages further discovery.”

Melbourne-based artists Tom Proctor and Mitch Walker, of Huna Studio, knew their artwork would become a showstopper and conversation piece once established.

Children embrace the new controversial Cast in Blue sculpture. Picture: City Of Mount Gambier

“One of the things that I find really interesting about this piece is the stark contrast of it being this really bright, alien object and we’re hoping it stops you in your tracks when you see it,” Mr Proctor previously said.

The sculpture’s idea came from a conversation between Mr Proctor and his palaeontologist aunt, who shared photos of fossilised remains found while cave diving in Mount Gambier.

“One of the creatures she showed me was a Palorchestes Panei, a sort of ancient, marsupial anteater which was massive, lumbering, and fascinating,” he said.

“It was the seed for the idea of an imagined creature, one that speaks to the many layers of Mount Gambier’s past.”

A Palorchestes Panei skull render, which the mythical megafauna artwork was based on.

The Riddoch Art Gallery team and Mayor Lynette Martin (far right). Picture: City Of Mount Gambier

Already the artwork has prompted a flurry of opinions on the Mount Gambier & District Residents and Ratepayers Facebook page, some saying it’s a “waste of ratepayer money” and a “blue pregnant echidna” and a local artist should have been commissioned.

The council launched the Beacon Art Project in October to create an eye-catching public artwork to serve as a recognisable icon for the city, similar to the Malls Balls.

The council had 22 expressions of interest from artists across Australia, with the Huna Studio proposal selected for combining the region’s unique landscape and history.

At the time a council report warned the artwork could be both celebrated and criticised by locals and tourists, but noted it was to be expected for such a “bold and significant” project.