Biik Bial - La Trobe University

This project at La Trobe University's new sporting complex honours two remnant gums, adding appeal to a concrete retaining wall built to protect the trees.

We worked with an image based on Lewis Wandin Bursill’s wood carving, featuring a series of flowing lines that honour the pair of remnant river redgums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) growing at the site. The image honours the insightful decision by LaTrobe University to save and retain the trees, protecting the layers of living soil around their roots and below their canopy. The flowing lines reference the contours of the retained/natural landform and simultaneously, the flow of waters through soils and the flow of air/wind through the leaves. The series of lines also reference tree growth patterns and furthermore the passage of time, referencing Aboriginal presence into deep time, and in doing so, honouring the scar tree as significant to the cultural history of the Wurundjeri people, and their ongoing custodianship of their lands.

We wish to acknowledge both trees (and all redgums) as providers of food, tools and medicine to Wurundjeri people, and as home, habitat and food to many non- human species that live in the area. We reference the beautiful colour of the timber of river redgums through the colour selected. Lewis Wandin Bursill’s hand-carved markings honour his great uncle x4, William Barak.

Title: Biik Bial

Location: La Trobe University

Client: La Trobe University

Concept: Murrup Biik

Fabrication coordination: Collide Public Art