Cast in Blue
| Cast in Blue | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cast in Blue in 2026 | |
 | |
| Artist | Tom Proctor, Mitch Walker |
| Year | 2025 |
| Medium | Aluminium |
| Location |
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Cast in Blue, colloquially known as the Blue Blob,[1] is a public sculpture located in Mount Gambier, South Australia, near the intersection of Commercial Street and Bay Road. Designed by Melburnian architects Tom Proctor and Mitch Walker of Huna Studio, the sculpture is constructed from cast aluminum and coated with blue 2 pack paint.[2]
Development
[edit]In April 2024, the City of Mount Gambier began seeking expressions of interest for the Beacon Art Project, a program created with the goal of expressing local culture and increasing tourism to the area.[3] Of the 22 submissions to the project, Huna Studio's Cast in Blue was the proposal selected to be commissioned.[4]
The sculpture is intended to represent a mythical species of megafauna, similar to those seen in the nearby Naracoorte Caves.[5] The distinct blue colour of the sculpture intentionally mirrors that of the nearby Blue Lake.[6]
Reception
[edit]The announcement of the sculpture drew significant criticism online; social media users criticised its cost of $136,000, which came the same year as an increase in general rates.[6] Speaking during the sculpture's unveiling, Mount Gambier mayor Lynette Martin said that the cost was worth the visitors it would bring to the area.[5]
Di Ind, chairperson of the Mount Gambier and District Residents and Ratepayers Association, recognised the project's appeal, but opposed the expense, as it came during a time when many residents were struggling with the cost of living.[6]
Incidents
[edit]Chipped paint
[edit]Approximately two weeks after the installation of Cast in Blue, multiple chunks of paint were chipped off of the sculpture. CCTV footage of the incident was provided to police, though no charges were filed.[7]
Application of googly eyes
[edit]On 13 September 2025, a pair of googly eyes were affixed to the sculpture by a local teenager.[7][8] The council claimed on 15 September that the adhesive could not be removed from the sculpture without causing damage to its surface, and that it would be seeking costs from the person responsible.[9]
The person responsible was convicted of marking graffiti in March 2026, and ordered to pay $2000 to the city council and complete 60 hours of community service.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ O'Brien, Samuel (5 April 2026). "Mount Gambier's 'Blue Blob' sculpture sparked controversy at first. How do locals feel about it now?". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "Huna Studio - Cast in Blue". Sculpture Co. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "Light shines on Beacon project | The SE Voice". 8 April 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "Beacon Art Project". City of Mount Gambier. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- 1 2 Boisvert, Eugene; Burke, Conor (17 July 2025). "Cast in Blue sculpture arrives in Mount Gambier". ABC News. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Bradbrook, Sam; Burke, Conor (20 November 2024). "Mount Gambier's 'blue blob' sculpture to go ahead, despite fierce online backlash". ABC News. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
- 1 2 Boisvert, Eugene (4 November 2025). "Mount Gambier woman charged over damage to city's Cast in Blue sculpture". ABC News. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ Lam, Lana. "Australian teen charged over allegedly sticking googly eyes on 'Blue Blob' artwork". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ Boisvert, Eugene (9 December 2025). "Mount Gambier woman accused of placing googly eyes on sculpture to begin negotiating with prosecution". ABC News. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
- ↑ Yasmin, Shahana (26 March 2026). "Australian woman convicted after putting googly eyes on 'Blue Blob' sculpture". The Independent. Retrieved 22 August 2026.