UPDATE: Brimbank City Council has just announced an exciting new public artwork set to transform the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens in Sunshine. Titled ‘The Birds (Sunshine)’, this innovative project by Monash Art Projects (MAP) will feature six stunning sculptural birdbaths made from honed granite, bluestone, and bronze.
The announcement reveals a significant investment in both the arts and local ecology, as the artwork aims to create a functional habitat for local birdlife while enhancing community engagement with the gardens’ unique cultural and natural history. Brimbank Mayor Thuy Dang emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “Public art brings people together, sparks conversation, and helps us see the world differently.”
Construction of ‘The Birds’, inspired by the industrial legacy of the Sunshine Harvester Works, is scheduled for installation in mid-2026. The sculptural forms will adapt original parts from the Sunshine Harvester Company’s catalogue, reimagined as modernist pieces that echo Cubist compositions. This artistic endeavor reflects a poetic response to the machine age, transforming industrial forms into vessels that promote care, regeneration, and a deeper connection with nature.
The collaboration involves notable artists Callum Morton, Jen Berean, and Linda Tegg. Their combined expertise aims to ensure that this artwork resonates with the local community, creating a lasting impact on Sunshine’s cultural landscape.
This initiative builds on MAP’s recent project for the Monash University Museum of Art, which featured carved boulders designed to collect water for birds, highlighting Victoria’s geological diversity and the needs of wildlife in urban settings.
Brimbank City Council’s Public Art Program supports this groundbreaking project, reflecting the council’s commitment to fostering community and environmental connections through art. The additional focus on local avian life and site-responsive design promises to make ‘The Birds’ a vital addition to Sunshine’s public art scene.
As this project progresses, residents and visitors can anticipate a transformative experience that marries functionality with artistic expression, reinforcing the essential role of public art in our communities. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting development unfolds in the coming months.
