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Kumangka Concept
Team
Sam Gollan and Gerry McMahon
We are a team with different skill sets and rolls but united in our passion and overall vision.
Gerry’s art practice is based on the 15 years of skills and experience acquired from his previous occupation as a sheet metal tradesman; He has skills in taking ideas and developing them into 3D sculptural objects. Sam is a Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna Aboriginal artist, painter and storyteller and is inspired by family her culture and the environment. Together their collaboration is with Gerry creating the canvas in 3D form and Sam telling the stories of her Kaurna people which will be laser cut into these forms.
Art and sport have been traditionally disciplines that are often placed in different lanes. However both sport and art have a strong connection to community, health and wellbeing and we wanted to embrace both elements within the sculpture.
There are three main components to the artwork:
Component 1: Is a stylised form of an Australian rules football. This AFL football is a 3D canvas for Sam to tell Kaurna stories on which Sam’s illustrations are to be laser cut in to. This representational football is particularly significant, as it is a sport with a lot of history on the Broadview Oval, but more importantly many people considered the AFL sport to be inspired by the aboriginal game called Marn Grook, a sport that aboriginal people have excelled at. Inside this sculpture is LED RGB strip lighting. The lights will give the sculpture dynamic presents at night as well as casting beautiful patterns on the wall.
Component 2: The AFL football shape form is positioned in the middle of three ring forms. The three rings symbolise in Kaurna paintings, as campsite or meeting place, “Pirltawardli” in Kaurna languish. This is appropriate for the space as community club house and oval is a place where people meet regularly. The inside cylinder form that supports the sculpture have ochre river stones set into terracotta tinted concrete. The next ring will have black and gray mottled river stones set in black concrete. The final ring will have once again ochre river stones set into terracotta tinted concrete. These muted coloured elements will complement the corten steel and are in keeping with the aboriginal design. Between each section of these rings there will be garden beds with low lying native shrubs.
Component 3: Either side of the sculpture two stylize tree with birds perched on them. Sam has designed Kaurna stories on these birds too. The tree like forms are designed to represent goal posts. There will be a small LED light place at the top of the tree to illuminate it at night.
The Triumphant Figures – Collaborative Storytelling Lanterns Originally conceived for South End, this large-scale sculptural series features three towering figures standing proud and triumphant. Crafted from Corten steel, each figure is defined by a bold pyramid-shaped dress and geometric, stylized arms. These works are designed as a 3D canvas for storytelling; the intricate laser-cut lacework on each dress serves as a unique narrative space. Whether used to articulate individual histories or joined together to tell a collective community story, the perforations allow for deep cultural and thematic engagement. Envisioned as monumental lanterns, the figures are illuminated from within by internal LED up-lighting, casting the stories of the community across the surrounding landscape. This concept is highly adaptable to suit specific local briefs, inviting the public to walk around and physically connect with the art, marrying the strength of industrial steel with the delicate, enduring power of shared human experience.
The Triumphant Figures – Collaborative Storytelling Lanterns Originally conceived for South End, this large-scale sculptural series features three towering figures standing proud and triumphant. Crafted from Corten steel, each figure is defined by a bold pyramid-shaped dress and geometric, stylized arms. These works are designed as a 3D canvas for storytelling; the intricate laser-cut lacework on each dress serves as a unique narrative space. Whether used to articulate individual histories or joined together to tell a collective community story, the perforations allow for deep cultural and thematic engagement. Envisioned as monumental lanterns, the figures are illuminated from within by internal LED up-lighting, casting the stories of the community across the surrounding landscape. This concept is highly adaptable to suit specific local briefs, inviting the public to walk around and physically connect with the art, marrying the strength of industrial steel with the delicate, enduring power of shared human experience.
This triptych features three abstract, stylized figures that celebrate the resilience and empowerment of women. Standing in a defiant power pose with hands on hips, each figure is built upon a pyramid-shaped dress—a geometric form chosen for its inherent strength and stability.
The sculptures are designed to act as beacons, utilizing a sophisticated lighting system that combines internal glow with external uplighting. This dual illumination highlights the personal narratives laser-cut into the steel "dresses," allowing stories of identity to be told through light and shadow. these works are built to be bold, enduring landmarks.
Note: This specific series is available for commission and can be adapted to suit your site requirements and community stories. This concept was visualized using AI technology to demonstrate the work's presence in a public setting.
The Living Nexus is a contemporary landmark concept designed as a bridge between the history, geography, and future of Prospect. Inspired by the organic silhouette of the native Billy Button (Pycnosorus globosus), the sculpture translates a local natural icon into a bold, industrial medium.
The structure is anchored by three foundational steel "veins," representing the major arteries of Prospect: Prospect, Main North, and Churchill Roads. From these roots, three stylized trunks intertwine in a "dancing" motion, representing the intersection of modern community life. The piece is crowned by nine integrated solar panels—representing the nine wards of the city—which power internal LEDs. At night, light spills through perforations in the base, turning the sculpture into a glowing beacon of hope that guides residents home.
Key Technical Features:
Material: 316 Marine-Grade Brushed Stainless Steel for ultimate longevity.
Sustainability: Entirely energy-independent via high-efficiency solar harvesting.
Engineering: Features a "Rapid-Lock" installation method and frangible safety bolts for road-side compliance.
Collaboration: Designed to integrate seamlessly with native plantings and local council infrastructure.
Developed as a conceptual proposal for the City of Prospect. This design is available for adaptation to suit new site-specific narratives.” This lets potential clients know that while this specific version was for Prospect, you can build something similar for them.
Murray Bridge Concept
Murray Bridge Concept
Concept for Encounter Bay with artist Paul Herzich
Concept for Encounter Bay with artist Paul Herzich
Manson Memorial sculpture Concept
The intention of this memorial sculpture, despite it being connected to the second world war, is not to show fighting, power, glory or even heroism, but loss. It portrays the devastating intergenerational trauma, sadness and loss caused my war.
The sculpture depicts a young boy, Dickie Manson, 11 years old former student Nailsworth Primary School and his mother - blindfolded, heads down waiting to be shot, executed for being spies. In Dickie’s left hand is a teddy bear reinforcing the notion of the boy’s age and innocence. His right arm is outstretched. Below his outstretched hand are sculptural forms of rings, designed to represent ripples. These ripples are a metaphor for the ongoing and lasting effects of war and its impact; it has not only affected those directly involved but those who lost loved ones. Sadly, something that is very present today. The starkness of the sculpture is confronting; designed to gain the viewers' attention and to be a lasting reminder of the horrors of war. It is not the intention to demonise but to show the brutal nature of war. It is important to reflect on our history, even that which is dark, in the hope we can make a brighter future.
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