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Mosaic Land | Public Sculptures by Forlano Design
Image credit: Douglas Mark Black
Mosaic Land | Public Sculptures by Forlano Design
Mosaic Land | Public Sculptures by Forlano Design
Mosaic Land | Public Sculptures by Forlano Design
Mosaic Land | Public Sculptures by Forlano Design

Created and Sold by Forlano Design

Forlano Design

Mosaic Land - Public Sculptures

Unavailable

Anodised aluminium on painted steel frame.
[1] Front: 10.1m wide x 4.78m high
[2] Rear: 6.1m wide x 4.66m high
Additional works on site: [3] Gates: various sizes
[4] Carpark compounds: 10.36m x 2.4m x 1.3 h and
14.8 m x 2.6m x 2.1m high
The artwork suite Mosaic Land takes the form of front [1] and rear [2] perforated, anodized metal shade-screens to the Bushfire Centre of Excellence entries. The Bushire Centre brings together the expertise of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures to ensure best fire management practices. These artworks were created in collaboration with Karrie-Anne Kearing Salmon, the traditional owner of the Bindjareb land on which this is sited, to ensure a dual-lens (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) approach to the artwork response.

The screen’s abstracted designs are inspired by centuries of Indigenous land and fire management practices. Through their intimate knowledge of seasonal patterns and flora and fauna habitats, fire was used to shape niche ecologies. Achieved via a ‘mosaic’ of patch-firing Aboriginals were able to control fires and stimulate the growth of diverse species. This ensured a sustainable cycle of habitat, food and biodiversity, whilst minimising risk of large-scale fire devastation. Emphasising this approach, the artwork of ‘Mosaic Land 1 & 2’ features layering, differing colour tones and contemporary fabrication techniques with depictions of diverse local flora, to capture the breadth of traditional knowledge, fire management and care of country.

As nature and Indigenous practices are interwoven and synergistic, the artwork itself further reflects this dynamic interaction through overlaid abstracted graphics, based on elements of the environment such as the Balga (Xanthorrhoea/ Grass tree), banksia pods, burnt trees and the Zamia palm amongst others, to reflect this vibrant co-existence. The sense of depth and movement created from overlapping differing hole sizes with varied spacings visually creates a vibrational effect to reinforce the energy and dynamism of the landscape.

Item Mosaic Land
Created by Forlano Design
As seen in Private Residence, Nambeelup, Australia
Forlano Design
Meet the Creator
Wescover creator since 2018
My work explores place, memory, identity and custodianship through design and public art.

Penelope Forlano is a spatial designer and public artist with a special interest in the mnemonic and emotional experience of public and private artifacts. Her recent doctoral research examined emotionally enduring artifacts, and how to evoke custodianship in the user through a design anthropology approach. She has over 20 years of practice as an award-winning artist, furniture, and interior designer. Her work has been exhibited widely including at 100% Design (London), CraftACT, The John Curtin Gallery, FORM, and a solo show at the esteemed Salone Satellite - Milan International Furniture Fair in 2004. She received the prestigious Australian Design Award (2006), and in 2011 her ‘Terrain’ table was acquired for permanent collection by the Art Gallery of WA. She has completed multiple public artworks for private and government bodies.