Story: Golden Quest Discovery Trail: Stop #3
Episode: 11
Presenter: Chrissy Morrissy
Air Date: 14th May
Chrissy travels north on her continuation of the Golden Quest Discovery Trail. Stop 3 takes her to Lake Ballard and the outdoor statue outwork in its own wide open space.
- Menzies is full of surprises in the contemporary arts and culture space, in particular, the largest outdoor art gallery on earth, Antony Gormley’s “Inside Australia” exhibit on Lake Ballard located 51 km west of Menzies.
- The art installation comprises 51 sculptures scattered over 10 square kilometres of the white salt plain of Lake Ballard. The sculptures are made from WA’s special steel alloy and are a laser scan of local residents of Menzies. Men, woman and children participated in the 3D laser scanning of their bodies and were referred to as “Insiders”.
- Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia art installation exhibition was commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the Perth International Festival in 2003, The renowned Turner Prize-winning artist and internationally acclaimed British artist, Sir Antony Gormley selected Lake Ballard as the site for a major environmental art installation, which he titled “Inside Australia.”
- It will take several hours to see all 51 sculptures, and the surface of the lake can be soft or muddy in some areas. Some are advised to wear old shoes or walk barefoot. Travellers are urged not to drive on the lake’s surface as vehicles have been thoroughly stuck in the past.
- The flies can be unbearable, especially during the summer period, so always bring a fly net, hat, sunglasses and lots of sunscreens to deal with the glaring lake surface. Bring at least 5L of water, and be aware there is no reception in Lake Ballard unless you climbed the little hill in the middle of all the sculptures. Only Telstra network is available in Menzies.
For more information:
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lake-ballard
