These objects, once thought to be agricultural scrap metal, they were discovered deep in the earth during recent coal mining operations in the Urana/Oaklands Area. Carbon dating of core samples has revealed that these are the complete fossilised remains of an extremely rare 65 million year old "Australian Rain Dragon" that has since been identified and restored by local artist Andrew Whitehead using secret pre-historic cave paintings found on his family farm as a guide. These ancient paintings depict images of the rain dragon and its significance to the land.
Death of a Queen
Like a dog waiting for its master to throw a ball, "Rain Dragon" stares with unblinking eyes at a distant horizon, searching for signs of rain and the nourishment it provides. Her optimism is undiminished as she waits, and defends her land against those who would have it. Decades of drought have passed . She suffers greatly. Without rain, her limbs have withered, and her flexibility is reduced. She now has difficulty putting her plans into action. Her collar reminds her that she should protect the land until she can entrust it to the next generation. In the manner of a bird under a garden sprinkler, on a hot Summer's day, she "ruffles" her armoured plumage in order to enjoy scant, soothing moisture from a welfare wind. In doing so, she makes herself vulnerable. Her wings once displayed the hopes and dreams of all those who work with the land. Now they make her naked. Bones and sinew remain, but the beautiful liquid crystal fabric connecting them has long since dried out, cracked and blown away in the hot, dry winds. ( like so much of the valuable farm topsoil, lost to relentless drought.) She chose to remain with her land. (for too long?) Now flight is no longer an option. She radiates defiance, along with balance and poise during very difficult times. Saint George will use neither courage nor righteous purpose to dispatch this beautiful creature. She prays that she can respond effectively when required to do so. Inside her armoured belly, she carries an egg that is the last of her kind. Its future will be decided not by labour nor skill but rather, the number of raindrops that fall. She waits, (like the rest of us) for rain that will renew her body and heal the land. Only then, will our hopes and dreams fly once again. Every farmer is a King or Queen, and every acre is their treasured realm or a millstone .
In Memory of Rose Anne Whitehead, "Butherwah" Station URANA
1871-1962 Matriarch, Philanthropist and Royal Dragon.
A Scrap metal sculpture commissioned to celebrate 100 years of bush racing. A discussion on Scrapmetal horse and jockey within the Horse Artwork forums.
I started with a horse skull, built a wire scale copy then clad it in scrap. The bodyline and stance were from many net images. The secret of success or failure is the line from the nose to the end of the tail. Look at attached photo You know when it is correct. I made the work in 14 slip together pieces so that i could weld the insides as well as install it indoors if that was required. There was a lot of difficulty finding the right shape and size scrap parts, but as you can see on the legs if you maintain correct proportion between the parts the size can be a little wrong but it still looks believable. I am very happy with the result.
Toolbox lives in Morundah NSW where Andrew's work and public artworks are a big feature of the town.
An earlier incarnation of the spider used a lawmower grass catcher as the abdomen, not much use for a grass catcher in a drouught. A spider not so itsy. The abdomen was later improved by using a wood fired copper wash tub, something my mother used to wash all our clothes in near boiling water, before electricity and washing machines. A good way for me to preserve memories and family history.