William Ricketts Reserve
In Australia, there is a unique, incredibly beautiful nature reserve, which was given the name "Potter's Sanctuary". It is located near Melbourne. The area of the reserve is about 4 acres. This place is notable for the sculpture garden made of clay and wood, created by William Ricketts.
History of creation
Back in 1898, the sculptor lived among the aborigines. He was impressed by their way of life and decided to capture the life of the indigenous people. The sculptures created by the master reflected unity with nature, the importance of preserving life on earth. The figures created by the author are located deep in the forest. They look like women, men, and children who have grown out of trees and rocks. Starting in 1943, William Ricketts began to decorate his own estate with incredible statues of aborigines. According to the author, expressing calmness and full natural strength, he captured it all in his sculptures, breathing life into them anew. Indeed, if you look closely at the sculptures, you can see that they are like an extension of the earth, repeating all its smooth lines, allowing you to ensure maximum harmony with just one glance. The master played the violin and made his masterpieces for the rest of his days. Many sculptures are kept in private collections. Some of it was bought by the government of the State of Victoria, turning the place into a public park.
William Ricketts Nature Reserve in Our Time
To date, there are more than 90 sculptures in the reserve. The master devoted almost his whole life to his work. William Ricketts Nature Reserve is very popular. Numerous sculptures that literally come to life from stone attract tourists with their strength and energy. They seem to grow out of the surrounding trees. You want to touch realistic sculptures with your hands, they are covered with moss. The picturesque place where the masterpieces are located attracts tourists from all over the world. The energy and scenarios captured by the author bring a lot of positive emotions.
The sculptor has been working on his masterpiece for more than 30 years. He chose the place himself, placed and equipped the hut. The Potter's Sanctuary has become a fascinating place and a real museum. You can walk along the paths of the park for hours, enjoying the seemingly living sculptures.
This unusual place is free to visit. There are special tours, it's not difficult to get there. Everyone who has been there recommends visiting William Ricketts Park. The walk does not take much time, but it gives a lot of impressions.
