Charred Memories, Wind Messenger and Leeton Lanterns were commissioned at the same time as part of a collection of artworks for Leeton Shire titled Lyrics, Landscapes and Lintels.
Charred Memories retells the story of the small town of Whitton, which used to be a thriving small town in the Riverina area of NSW but was demolished by fire in the early 1900’s. Wind Messenger pays homage to the nearby RAMSAR wetlands and the local Wirradjuri people. The endangered bittern featured on one of the panels was known as a messenger in Wirradjuri myths.
Leeton lanterns were designed to reflect the art deco history of Leeton. Walter Burley Griffin designed the layout of the town and his creative stamp can still be found on many landmarks and buildings around the area.
These striking installations not only tell important cultural and historical stories but also rely on material performance and finish to bring each piece to life. Ensuring the colours, textures, and surfaces remain true over time, despite exposure to the elements, is essential to preserving their visual impact.
A&I Coatings’ Vitreflon 700 (V700) played an important role in achieving this outcome. Used to enhance and protect the surface finish, V700 helps bring out the depth of colour and overall aesthetic of the artworks, while maintaining long-term durability. V700 supports both the creative vision and practical longevity of projects like these.
Together, the combination of storytelling, design, and advanced coating technology allows installations such as Charred Memories, Wind Messenger, and Leeton Lanterns to stand as lasting tributes, capturing history, culture, and place for years to come.
Credits go to Carla Gottgens for her professional creative work across the arts and photography sectors.
