Sculptures at Aileron Roadhouse in the Northern Territory

Could not wait to share these pics with you.  THIS WAS ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL SPOT and I felt privileged to be there.  Tinto and I did not know anything about the sculptures, but I began digging and did a little research.  MIND-BOGGLING - MAGNIFICENT.  LARGER (in life) THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE! 

Ted Egan calls himself a 'Bush man'.  He was born in Melbourne, but moved to the Northern Territory at age 16 and fell in love with the place.  Ted is a song-writer, singer, and has made 13 one hour documentary films titled 'This Land Australia'.  His son, Mark Egan, is the sculptor of these figures featured below and took the love his father had of the Northern Territory a step further by creating and sculpting these monumental figures representing Australia's First Peoples.  I was in awe.

Tinto and I could not believe we had not been told about this spot before our trip!  

Located on the Stuart Highway, north (135 kilometres) of Alice Springs and some 370 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, you will discover the gigantic figures of the 'Anmatjere Man' and the 'Anmatjere Woman and Child'.  At 17 meters, the 'Anmatjere Man' overlooks the Aileron region. The tip of the man's spear takes the piece to 17 metres high and its weight is approximately 8 tonnes.  The Aileron Roadhouse is home for these sculptures.  Mark Egan designed and sculpted the male figure first then was approached by local community members requesting a female figure, too.  The sculptures are made from a steel frame, mesh wire, and ferris cement.  The 'Anmatjere Man' took about 18 months for completion.

So, if you are planning on a trip to the NT - DO STOP BY and GAZE!  At the time Tinto and I visited, about a week ago, the Art Gallery was closed and I was really disappointed.  Hopefully, as more borders open and people are travelling again, the doors will re-open.  This was such a treat in such a remote region!  These were very powerful sculptures.  They felt intimate and made me think of 'STRENGTH'.   

Enjoy the pics - again - completely different when you view in person!

STAY SAFE and KIND while you begin ROAMING AGAIN.

Blanco of The Roaming Stevens...

Close-up on the 'Anmatjere Woman and Child'
Child clinging to Mum - and a goanna lizard in the scene.  Goannas are represented in 'Dreamtime' stories for the Aboriginal people, a source of food, and featured in various 
artworks, too.
HERE IS THE MALE ~ standing alone - high upon the hill as if he is on the 'look-out' for his family (not certain if 'He' was meant to be interpreted this way).  The male was the very first figure Mark Egan sculpted. 
LOOK at Tinto taking a photograph ~ LOOK at the tremendous
difference in SIZE.  The child alone is ENORMOUS.  
THEIR FEET FASCINATED ME.  I would have liked very much to watch the sculptor make these powerfully strong figures.  ASTOUNDING.

https://www.stonefamilyinaustralia.com.au/family_history/archive_items/5686

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