Latest project: Ellis Rowan
As you may have heard, there has been an exciting project underway to create a public bronze sculpture of Ellis Rowan in Mt Macedon which will become a significant landmark in the Macedon Ranges.
Ellis Rowan was an internationally renowned artist and a household name in Australia until her death in 1922. She was an extraordinary woman of her time and a prolific artist – painting some 3000 works that reflected her bold exploration of Australia and remote parts of the world hunting for wildflowers, rare plants, insects and birds to paint. When she wasn't away painting, Ellis stayed with her family at their Mount Macedon homes; first Derriweit Heights then The Cottage (now Viewfield).
The statue is inspired by a photograph taken of Ellis Rowan in around 1888 when she was painting outdoors in a meadow of wildflowers at Derriweit Heights in Mount Macedon. Ellis is seated at her easel with an artist’s palette and brush in one hand and paint brushes in the other. Her little dog sits beside her and her pet bilby joey (called Bill Baillie and the subject of a book she wrote) peeks out at the viewer from under her seat. The statue cost is $250,000 which includes all aspect of the project including sculpting, casting in bronze and installation on a bluestone base.
If you have been thinking about becoming a patron and being part of this exciting project when it is unveiled later this year, now is the time to do it. The names of all patrons contributing over $5,000 will be included on the list of patrons (if they so wish) on a plaque on the full-size work. There are two ways to become a patron:
1. Tax deductible donations
We are seeking patrons to make a contribution to our Australian Cultural Fund campaign. All donations above $2 are tax deductible and can be made via the following link:
https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn000001jxsz
2. Acquiring a bronze maquette
A limited edition of 12 copies of the maquette Jennifer Mann has sculpted for the larger work are being cast in bronze (pictured below) - Dimensions: Height 25cm on an oval base x Depth 22 cm x Width 28cm / Finish: patinated bronze. Five copies have already been sold. There will be strictly only be 12 ever made and the cost is $13,600 plus GST. Once the large sculpture is in place, this maquette is sure to become a sought-after part of local history. All proceeds after production costs will go towards funding the full-size Ellis Rowan public sculpture. Each edition will be numbered and signed by Jennifer as the artist and purchasers of a bronze maquette will be considered patrons of the project.
We have already raised $130,000+ through generous donations from the public. The full-size clay sculpture will be completed by mid 2026. The final phase is having the work cast in bronze as soon as our funding target has been reached. We are now calling on anyone with a love of public art, horticulture, beautiful gardens, statue equality for women, recognising significant women in history and our beautiful Macedon Ranges to help us reach our funding goal so we will have the statue in place by the end of 2026.
Ellis Rowan was an internationally renowned artist and a household name in Australia until her death in 1922. She was an extraordinary woman of her time and a prolific artist – painting some 3000 works that reflected her bold exploration of Australia and remote parts of the world hunting for wildflowers, rare plants, insects and birds to paint. When she wasn't away painting, Ellis stayed with her family at their Mount Macedon homes; first Derriweit Heights then The Cottage (now Viewfield).
The statue is inspired by a photograph taken of Ellis Rowan in around 1888 when she was painting outdoors in a meadow of wildflowers at Derriweit Heights in Mount Macedon. Ellis is seated at her easel with an artist’s palette and brush in one hand and paint brushes in the other. Her little dog sits beside her and her pet bilby joey (called Bill Baillie and the subject of a book she wrote) peeks out at the viewer from under her seat. The statue cost is $250,000 which includes all aspect of the project including sculpting, casting in bronze and installation on a bluestone base.
If you have been thinking about becoming a patron and being part of this exciting project when it is unveiled later this year, now is the time to do it. The names of all patrons contributing over $5,000 will be included on the list of patrons (if they so wish) on a plaque on the full-size work. There are two ways to become a patron:
1. Tax deductible donations
We are seeking patrons to make a contribution to our Australian Cultural Fund campaign. All donations above $2 are tax deductible and can be made via the following link:
https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn000001jxsz
2. Acquiring a bronze maquette
A limited edition of 12 copies of the maquette Jennifer Mann has sculpted for the larger work are being cast in bronze (pictured below) - Dimensions: Height 25cm on an oval base x Depth 22 cm x Width 28cm / Finish: patinated bronze. Five copies have already been sold. There will be strictly only be 12 ever made and the cost is $13,600 plus GST. Once the large sculpture is in place, this maquette is sure to become a sought-after part of local history. All proceeds after production costs will go towards funding the full-size Ellis Rowan public sculpture. Each edition will be numbered and signed by Jennifer as the artist and purchasers of a bronze maquette will be considered patrons of the project.
We have already raised $130,000+ through generous donations from the public. The full-size clay sculpture will be completed by mid 2026. The final phase is having the work cast in bronze as soon as our funding target has been reached. We are now calling on anyone with a love of public art, horticulture, beautiful gardens, statue equality for women, recognising significant women in history and our beautiful Macedon Ranges to help us reach our funding goal so we will have the statue in place by the end of 2026.
Ellis Rowan at her easel c.1888
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Limited edition (#/12) Ellis Rowan Maquette (2024) Bronze
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Working on the clay sculpture
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A studio visit by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC the Governor of Victoria and Stephen Ryan President of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society
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