By Brendan Rees
When the 1.5m tall peculiar sculpture arrived at Gregory Matthews’ home in Cranbourne North it reminded him of a wombat.
“It’s nothing like what I thought it was going to be,” the Aboriginal artist said.
Mr Matthews, a descendant of Tasmania’s Manegin People, will join 99 others to help mark 150 years of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The UooUoo sculptures (pronounced ‘you you’), have become a canvas for creativity among the artists and once complete they will find a home in laneways, streets, parks and public spaces, forming walking trails throughout Melbourne and Geelong.
Mr Matthews, whose work has sold internationally, is adding the final touches to his piece at his home studio which he said will take six weeks in total to complete.
He said his design named ‘Wombat Dreaming’, was inspired by the shape of the UooUoo, which reminded him of a wombat, and his wonderful childhood memories in Tasmania.
“I’m really getting into it now,” he said.
“I’ve done all the details all way round the UooUoo,” he said, after undertaking the painstaking task of using acrylic paint to apply thousands of dots on the sculpture by utilising wooden sticks of different diameters.
“Now it’s just a matter of carefully strategically placing all these dots and getting the colour combination right – that’s the trick to it.”
Despite some of the challenges that have come with his colourful project, Mr Matthews said: “Even if there’s a problem, there’s always a work around.”
Asked whether he would take on the task again, Mr Matthews’ reply is swift.
“I would do it again because I could tackle it the second time because I would know all the things.”
All money raised from the UooUoos, with each one being sponsored by a business, will go towards the Royal Children’s Hospital.
