“Spirituality is eternal and I want the people to regard this sanctuary just this way, timeless and eternal. All my work expresses reverence for life everlasting. I believe that we are indivisible linked with all that life and we cannot be separated” – William Ricketts (1898–1993)
William Ricketts Sanctuary is an amazing outdoor museum representing 92 sculptures of people and animals located in Mount Dandenong, Victoria, near the city of Melbourne, Australia. We have quoted the artist himself to introduce you to a whole different view regarding life and unity, and to project his visions through a personal, philosophical statement. Because this sanctuary consists in its consciousness above all. It represents a unique infinitesimal part that somehow connects with other parts and builds an edifice of a quiet world, a world that still breaths.
You probably wonder who is this forgotten artist you never heard about and what is so special about this place that he called it a “sanctuary”. William Ricketts was an Australian self-taught potter and sculptor born in Richmond, Victoria, who made the decision to move indefinitely to a remote place in Mount Dandenong in the 1930’s.
It was here where he dedicated his entire life trying to create a statement for the posterity, a declaration of hope, peace, enlightenment. He identified himself with the true aboriginal people and his spiritual awareness was one with those people. We are speaking about a man who made frequent trips into Central Australia to live with Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte Aboriginal people, whose traditions and culture inspired his sculpture.
He is a unique artist, one who brought (ever since the ’30s) new concepts to public attention such as environmental conservation, Aboriginal rights and preserving traditions.
Things to do
There are special audio tours through the sanctuary that can bring the work and passion of William Ricketts back to life, with fascinating insights about his trips in Central Australia and his messages about natural environment and Indigenous people. You will find more information here.
Admission for William Ricketts sanctuary is free.
“To melt and become a flow of water.“
