People's Choice award-winning sculpture 'Dream Rider' unveiled at new sanctuary home
Gold Coast artist's award-winning eagle masterpiece, built in his backyard from surfboards destined for landfill, has landed at its permanent roost.
The towering eagle sculpture made from recycled surfboards that captured hearts at this year’s SWELL Sculpture Festival has found its permanent home at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
‘Dream Rider’, which claimed the People’s Choice Award at Queensland’s largest outdoor art event, has been sold to the sanctuary and installed in the Wild Skies Precinct, where it will remain on permanent display.
The 12m-wide monument, which was listed for sale for $15,000, resonated immediately with sanctuary officials.
“From the minute we saw the Dream Rider statue and the sustainability message, we knew that it just had to come home here to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, animal training manager Wendy Welch said.
“It fits in so perfectly with our messaging of connection and conservation.”
The sculpture represents months of dedication by the 50-year-old artist, who spent more than 400 hours transforming 30 discarded surfboards – destined for landfill – along with plastic paint buckets and recycled steel into the 450-kilogram artwork.
Working from his Carrara backyard during weekends and evenings over six months, Mr Brown created what has become one of the festival’s most celebrated pieces.
“You couldn’t describe a better backdrop for a sculpture like this,” artist Mick Brown said.
“I’ve had sculptures installed in other states, so to have Dream Rider local is real bonus.”
Brown’s backyard masterpiece was among a record 80-plus artworks at this years’ SWELL Sculpture Festival showcasing 230 artists across 1.2 kilometres of foreshore from Currumbin Alley to Currumbin Beach.
Originally published as People's Choice award-winning sculpture 'Dream Rider' unveiled at new sanctuary home
