The “Poppy Project” Sculpture- by Margrete Erling

The “Poppy Sculpture” at Gosford Memorial Park -2015 by Margrete Erling

The ‘Poppy Project’ Sculpture commissioned by Gosford City Council, complemented more than 40,000 fabric, wool and ceramic poppies, hand made by the local community living in the Central Coast area of NSW.

The project commemorates the Centenary of ANZAC and recreated a field of poppies on the foreshore of Gosford in Memorial Park. The Poppy Sculpture was made by local artist Margrete Erling at her farm studio in Mandalong with the assistance of fabricators Bruce Porter and Pip Mason. The work took close to 6 weeks to produce, working from original designs of the artist in consultation with the Poppy Project Team at Gosford City Council and local community members with input from local historian Merril Jackson.

The sculptures modular base was fabricated in galvanised steel with bright finish propeller plate aluminium cladding covering the framework, its form simulating the shape of poppy petals. The tall, willowy flower stems were bent and polished by hand from aluminium tubing. The large red Poppy flowers were fabricated from Colorbond flat sheet metal, shaped and riveted together then adornished with bright coloured resin and tissue. Solar lights were installed within the base to produce a soft lighting at night, highlighting the red petals from underneath.

The work was fabricated in the artists farm studio and assembled on site for its semi permanent installation within the park. Margrete Erling has produced artworks all across the Central Coast and Hunter areas including the Giant Cricket Balls and Stumps at Alan Davidson Oval in Wyoming, the Sculpture installation at Toowoon Bay Caravan Park, The Hamlyn Terrace Sports Field Sports Sculptures, Watanobbi Welcome Habitat Boxes and more.
For more information about Margrete and her work, visit www.margreteerling.com.au