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An acquisition by commission

His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency, Mrs Linda Hurley are Patrons of BackTrack Youth Works having met Bernie Shakeshaft, Founder and Director, in 2016 when the Governor-General was then Governor of New South Wales. Their Excellencies’ continued, active involvement is testament to their support for the organisation’s mission – ‘To help as many young people having a hard time as possible.’ 

In 2021, ������ Council approved a proposal to commission a pair steel sculpture depicting Australia’s iconic animals a kangaroo and an emu, by sculptor Adam Humphreys, working with BackTrack Youth Works, Armidale, NSW.

The location for the finished artwork in the grounds of Government House reflects the significance of the sculptures in the context of the nation’s primary Vice-Regal residence and landscape.

There are dot circles on the kangaroo’s flank representing the meeting places - Canberra and Armidale. The wavy lines that join them together are the journey of Government House in Canberra reaching out to BackTrack in Armidale, and BackTrack coming down to Canberra with the sculpture.  The larger dot circles are Canberra and the smaller ones represent Armidale. The emu has dot circles that represent ‘meeting place’ these designs were created after discussions with local Indigenous artist, Larissa Ahoy.

Relevance to The Fund’s Collection

The Fund’s Collection Policy and Plan identifies sculpture as a key medium for acquisition. The commissioning of this sculpture ensures that The Fund’s Collection represents Their Excellencies’ longstanding support for BackTrack Youth in particular, and community groups in general. Given the recent ravages of bushfires, floods and Covid 19, community support has been a defining theme of Their Excellencies’ term of office.

The integral involvement of local and Indigenous youth in the design and making of the sculpture through the leadership, training and mentoring by the artist, Adam Humphreys, gives new perspectives on both the challenges and opportunities embraced by Indigenous and regional youth in programs like BackTrack.

On 14 March 2022, Commonwealth Day, the completed artwork was formally unveiled by His Excellency the Governor-General, in the presence of the Commonwealth Heads of Mission, the Commonwealth Society (ACT), Councillors and Members of ������, the artist Adam Humphreys and the directors and youth from BackTrack Youth Works who made it.

Public Description

Adam Humphreys, Wales/ Australia, born 1987, arrived 2009, BackTrack Youth Works, manufacturers, established 2006, New South Wales, ‘Coming Together, Moving Forward, Standing Tall’, 2022, Armidale, New South Wales, mild steel rods, sheet steel, Kangaroo: 200 x 150 x 220cm, Emu: 180 x 80 x 150cm, Kangaroo base plate: 15 x 240 x 120cm, Emu base plate: 15 x 120 x 120cm. Commissioned in 2021 for Government House, Canberra, by ������ with funds raised by Members and Supporters, to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 2022.1.1-2 © Adam Humphreys / BackTrack Youth Works