Artist: Katie Stackhouse

Curator: Lisa Warrener, Global Art Projects

Commissioner: Laing O'Rourke for South East Program Alliance (SEPA) as part of the Level Crossing Removal Program (LXRP)

Fabricator: Meridian Sculpture

Installation: Ben Fasham, Sculpture on the Move

Turtle Guardian is a new cast bronze artwork by Melbourne artist, Katie Stackhouse located in Ringwood East, Melbourne.

The turtle carapace artwork with its highly detailed and patenated surface of local plants, references the common Eastern long-necked turtle and reflects the important balance of maintaining native animal and plant ecosystems within urban spaces. Katie worked with turtle scientists, and engaged with local Wurundjeri Elders during the design phase of the project and then worked closely with Meridian Sculpture Foundry to fabricate the work.

Katie has said of the piece:

“I think of the geometric structure of the turtle shell as a protective form, functioning as a poetic guardian for travellers, and a symbol for safe passage as people move, travel and connect in their daily lives. Turtles play a vital role in keeping waterways clean. As an animal that travels between water and land, often long distances, the turtle form felt like a relevant symbol for travellers,”

The artwork is located at the Ringwood East Train Station (Lilydale line), in Ringwood East, Melbourne, Australia.