William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary is located in the Dandenong Ranges which is a short drive (one hour) from the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
This sanctuary is a serene and engrossing tribute to William Rickets and his wonderful sculptures, which express not only his love for the bush but also the aboriginal culture and his sense of childhood delight and poetry.
This major tourist attraction is a special place where children and adults alike can enjoy the peace and mystery of William Ricketts Sanctuary.
The exhibits are so numerous that visitors should allow plenty of time and really enjoy the experience.
An hour visit may be seen as very brief or the experience of quite reflection can absorb half a day.
Ferns and soaring gum trees are the backdrop for William Ricketts’ display of naturally beautiful and entrancing artworks.
Numerous pathways meander through the sanctuary and visitors often find the sculptures are a joyful surprise as they turn a corner or explore many a bush land grotto.
About William Ricketts
As an artist he had a deep and abiding love of the natural environment and believed that people are custodians of the earth. He was particularly inspired by the connection that the Aborigines had with the land.
Many of his amazing sculptures reflect his view of Aborigines and their relationship to the earth.
He creation of the human figures and animals becomes very meaningful because makes them seemingly grow from the rocks. These special works are then secreted amongst the ferns and appear as one with the bush.
During your visit you can discover over 90 individual sculptures spread around the site.
William Rickets was born in Richmond in 1898 and settled permanently in Mount Dandenong in 1934. He never really trained as a potter as his works both large and small frequently show cracking.
His public reputation has been enhanced because he was able to show through his vision how modern Australia could embrace the spirituality of Aborigines and their respect for the natural world.
William’s major works include:
- Dromana in the Seawinds Garden.
- Arthurs Seat, Victoria,
- Gun Brute
- Many smaller works are in the collections of various museums such as the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
William supported himself by undertaking commissioned sales of his art and by making a number of pieces for gift ware. These special signed pieces are increasingly sought after for private collections.
During 1949 to 1960 he made frequent trips to Central Australia so that he could live with Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte people whose traditions and culture inspired much of his sculpture work.
He considered himself to be adopted by these people and left behind many of his central Australian works at Pitchi Ritchi near Alice Springs, which is a bird sanctuary run by his friend Leo Corbet.
In the early 1900’s he developed additional skills such as playing the violin, crafting jewelry and obviously clay modeling. He also during this period commenced his major artistic work which has now become the famous park named after him “William Ricketts Sanctuary”
In the 1970’s he also visited India, residing at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram spiritual centre in Pondicherry, through this experience developing a spiritual empathy for their philosophy.
The Victorian Government bought the sanctuary in the 1960’s and made it into a public park,
He worked continuously and tirelessly on the project and lived in the park until he died in 1993.
