In 2022, the Victorian State Government announced $8.5 million in funding to support the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements project. To support the delivery of the project, Tourism North East is the lead agency, working closely with the Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo and Alpine Shires.
Rural City of Wangaratta Update | NOVEMBER 2024
BOWSER TO TARRAWINGEE
Introducing Emily Floyd
We're pleased to introduce Emily Floyd as the artist selected for the Bowser to Tarrawingee site as part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
Emily Floyd is an artist based in Narrm / Melbourne. Floyd works in sculpture and public installation, she explores the history of play, employing it as a frame for investigations into socially engaged design, ecology and the legacies of modernism. Drawing parallels between educational models and contemporary art, Floyd’s works generate spaces for engagement and interaction.
Emily Floyd’s Magpie Family features an ironically scaled magpie alongside her babies. The artwork will activate the Londrigan Station site on the Bower to Tarrawingee section of the Murray to Mountains rail Trail.
Magpie Family explores themes of ecology and kinship. Magpies are a key indicator of biodiversity, they are intertwined with the different plants, animals, micro-organisms and ecosystems of which they are a part.
Floyd’s Magpie Family will provide playful prompts that cyclists are entering Magpie Territory, creating a narrative connection between the revitalized spaces of the Bowser to Tarrawingee trail, storied Magpie worlds and the biodiverse landscapes of the region.
Visit Floyd's website to see examples of her previous works: annaschwartzgallery.com/artist/emily-floyd
OXLEY TO MILAWA
Introducing Beci Orpin
We're pleased to introduce Melbourne-based Beci Orpin as the artist selected for the Oxley to Milawa site as part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
Multidisciplinary artist, designer and illustrator, Beci Orpin, has over 25 years experience evoking wonder and optimism through her practice. With an emphasis on colour and shape, her work bridges illustration, craft and design to create vibrant installations and graphics which often take the form of plants, animals and quirky characters.
Orpin has collaborated with major brands including Apple, Google, Disney and Uniqlo, has exhibited both locally and internationally, and frequently collaborates with community spaces to create experiential installations. Her works are highly accessible, tactile and interactive, with a focus on creating joy-filled spaces which encourage both young and old to play.
Evoking the complex flavours of the region in unexpected, playful ways, Orpin’s concept ‘Palate Palette’ is a true celebration of terroir – both the people and incredible tastes from the area. It also allows for collaboration with local makers, residents and even schools to capture all of the different perspectives on regional flavour.
Visit Orpin's website to see examples of her previous works: beciorpin.com
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