A 4-metre high sculpture called Wool Water & Wood in the centre of Blackall has been realised with funding from the art+place Queensland Public Art Fund.

The sculpture is composed of three beautifully carved elements made of local timber enhancing the town’s public space, addressing the history of the region and providing a community marker.

With carved Bloodwood representing the Wood, carved Ironwood representing Water and the Deadfinish, an acacia species, carved to represent Wool, the sculpture is by noted Melbourne artist Robert Bridgewater.

Robert Bridgewater worked with the community, including local school children, to create this sculpture based on the Blackall region Heartlands festival 2008 theme of Wool Water and Wood - a theme created to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the Blackall Woolscour – a national icon.

The community input was one of the great strengths of this project and the resultant sculpture represents a greatly enhanced understanding of how sculpture is made and how it can contribute to a sense of place.

Officially unveiled on 5 November 2008 this was the first project completed from the new Queensland State Government art+place public art program.

The art+place program is dedicated to the realisation of significant public art across the State to enhance the sense of urban and regional place and extend public understanding of the role of public art in our community.