Artist: Will Maguire
Title: North Wagga Pontoon
Installed: 2017
Materials: Forged steel
Location: Albert Burgman Memorial Park, William Street North Wagga
A Pontoon rises and falls with the waves and tides yet are held in place by strong pillars that guide them. Will Maguire found this an appropriate metaphor for the North Wagga community.
North Wagga is at times buffeted by the waters of the mighty Murrumbidgee, causing headache and heart ache. In times of hardship the North Wagga community show strength and generosity of spirit. Sticking together, supporting each other and not shying away from hard work. A resilient and stoic people who shall not be moved.
This sculptural seat will float on the waters of future floods yet be held in place by the strong committed pillar at its core. Weathering the storm and coming down to rest once more to support generations of smiling strong North Wagga locals.
The engraved pictures where drawn by students of North Wagga public school and members of the North Wagga progress association.
Will Maguire completed his blacksmith and boiler maker qualification in 2006, spending much of the following years as a journeyman overseas working, learning and collaborating with some of the best smiths in the England, USA, Canada, Russia, Europe, Ukraine and Japan.
Since 2009 Maguire has run a workshop making and designing bespoke items specialising in architectural ironwork, public art, sculpture and individual commissions. Maguire exhibited at Bondi’s Sculpture by the Sea in 2014, completed the 5 tonne Steelworkers Memorial in Newcastle in 2015 as well as Wagga Wagga City Council’s Arm Horn in Tarcutta in 2016.