Lake ballard inside australia by acclaimed sculptor antony gormley comprising 51 sculptures derived from laser scans of residents of menzies wa. Visit lake ballard an aboriginal sacred site and stunning salt lake where sculptures of 51 local people made by sir antony gormley create a spiritual and moving open air art installation. This really is a sight to behold its why we go on about it so much.
The sculptures travelled 780kms from the foundry in perth to the site on lake ballard and it took a team of 18 volunteers 4 days to install all 51 sculptures. At the time they were supposed to be a temporary exhibition but they proved to be so popular that they were allowed to claim the 10. The inside australia sculptures at lake ballard in western australia were created by british artist and turner prize winner antony gormley back in 2003 as part of perth s international arts festival.
This extraordinary natural landscape was selected by world renowned artist antony gormley to display his inside australia exhibit a collection of 51 individually cast black chromium steel sculptures stretching across 10 square kilometres. The white salt plain of lake ballard creates a dramatic setting for the largest outdoor art gallery on earth. The first half is sealed and the last 23kms are good quality unsealed although not sure how good it would be in the wet and there is a solid base after you turn towards the lake.
51kms from menzies and it takes about 45 50 minutes on good roads ignore what google maps says. What an amazing experience. Please check the road condition report for the shire of menzies prior to setting out.
The road to lake ballard is unsealed for 30 of the 51 kilometres. The 51 sculptures stand scattered over 10 square kilometres of the lake ballard salt lake 51 kilometres west from the town of menzies. The statues were to be removed at the conclusion of the festival but remain as a tourist exhibition.
The artist and turner prize winner antony gormley installed 51 sculptures over an area of 10 square kilometres 4 sq mi on the bed of the lake. In 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the perth international arts festival the inside australia exhibition was commissioned. See 113 reviews articles and 115 photos of lake ballard ranked no 1 on tripadvisor among 5 attractions in menzies.
However care must be taken at all times to drive at a safe speed for the prevailing road surface conditions and of course within the maximum allowed speed limits.
Lake ballard sculptures map. Weather conditions permitting it is possible to undertake the 51km drive between menzies and lake ballard in a standard non 4wd vehicle.
Weather conditions permitting it is possible to undertake the 51km drive between menzies and lake ballard in a standard non 4wd vehicle.
