Balgarr – Mountain BHP Mt Arthur

Balgarr is a highly textured artwork in sandstone engraving reflective of Mount Arthur and surrounding country.  The imagery brings an acknowledgement to traditional custodians, the Wonnarua people, while celebrating the rich resources and beauty of country from traditional times through to today.

Flowing across the bottom of the canvas, a Mt Arthur silhouette, is outline in all its majesty, featuring vertical earth engravings reflective of coal strata and BHP’s footprint on country.  Internal  shapes within Mount Arthur highlight traditional artifacts found over many years of mining with an emphasis on conservation, the history of artifacts collection and caring for places of cultural significance.

The strata imagery continues upward connecting to three large gathering circles, bringing a threefold meaning within the design:

• Acknowledgment to Wonnarua Nation as traditional custodians of country from past, present and
• Depicting country from its natural state on the left, through to mining with the central large circle an topography of Mt Arthur and onto the last circle emphasising a focus on land regeneration.
• This imagery also Highlights connection, collaboration and partnerships between BHP and community over time, since the 1960’s.

Smaller stepping stones flowing horizontally across the top of the artwork signifying cultural sites on country including scar trees and burial sites, while being reflective of mine pits found throughout the area.  At the very top of the canvas songlines highlight the importance of caring for country together through respectful relationships.

Size: 1800 x 900 mm

Date: September 2022