This work was first commissioned by the Melbourne city council as part of a celebration of the opening of the Birrarung Marr park. 25 victorian sculptors were given $2,500.00 to create a work which would be part of the park for about 6 months. Date of manufacture and installation: 2002 'Silent/Listen' was gifted by the artist, Petrus Spronk, to the people of Hepburn Springs in July 2001.Two smooth rectangular engraved granite slabs placed directly on the ground. Each granite stone is engraved on its uppermost surface. The left hand work is engraved with the text - 'silent' and the right hand work is engraved with 'listen'. Unsigned. Dated July 2001 petrus spronk, public art, sculpture, environmental art, hepburn shire public art collection, hepburn shire, listen, silent, hepburn springs mineral reserve, granite

Deborah Halpern was raised in Nth Warrandyte. Her connection to the area and the significant contribution that she and her family (founding members of Potters Cottage) have made to the artistic heritage and culture of the Shire is acknowledge with the commission of this piece. Deborah Halpern is a highly recognised and respected local artist with an acclaimed national reputation in the arts community. This work is a gateway piece, welcoming residents and visitors into the Shire from the southern end of the boundary. 'Queen of the Shire' reflects the creative spirit that flows endlessly in the Shire, inspired by the landscape. This work forms part of a series of sculptures that Halpern has created along the banks of the Yarra in Melbourne ('Angel' - Birrarung Marr and 'Ophelia' - Southgate). This sculpture is an excellent example of Halpern’s ouvere and 'tile construction' technique for which she is renowned. Materials: coloured glass tiles, fibreglass, aluminium, steel. A sweeping stylised (female) form covered in bright and colourful tiles held aloft by two steel poles. queen, sculpture, semi-abstract, stylised, glass, tiles, public art, halpern, ek prac 2015