Sculpture in the middle of nowhere
A make-believe bomb.
Too much dieting?
Our recent road trip in central Australia included some weird, wonderful and unexpected treats. I’ve already introduced you to the mysterious Marree Man. Now it’s time for the brilliantly weird and creative Mutonia Sculpture Park.
Created by Robin Cooke, this artistic oasis is an amazing collection of industrial junk turned into clever sculptures. The largest and tallest is of a dog. Its body is a derelict water tank, while the head and tongue are an old Chrysler. I didn’t have enough time to walk up and get a close-up of the dog, but you get the idea. Cooke wanted to call it Dottie the Dingo, but the locals have tagged it the Big Dog.
The Big Dog, made of a water tank and an old Chrysler
Two old planes and our van in the background
Before turning to art, Cooke spent 20 years as a mechanic in Victoria. In 1997, he downed those tools and came to the desert in remote South Australia to create his first sculpture. Apparently he returns every year to add another masterpiece. I’ve read that the original work was a bit of an anti-mine protest by indigenous landowners.
Musical sculpture
Giant wildflower sculpture
Time Tree sculpture
The park is located on the Oodnadatta Track. It’s near Alberrie Creek—population 2—and about a two-hour drive west of Marree. Once upon a time, the area was a railway siding for The Ghan, the famous train that does a 54-hour run between Adelaide and Darwin. About 40 years ago, the railway was moved west to avoid floodplains.
Here’s an entertaining five-minute video about the park and Cooke. It’s from a TV episode done by the ABC’s Stateline program in South Australia.
Where to next? 
This is awesome Peggy!
Louise Scrivener *Chinese Ducks Design* 0407 477 440
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I thought you’d like it.
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love the idea of Mutonia! fabulous. what at treat. thank you Peggy for more interesting sidelights.
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It’s great fun to come across these gems.
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I would really get a kick out of visiting this place. I love sculpture parks, and seeing what people can create with recycled parts and all the detritus of the industrial age.
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Stay tuned for a post about the sculptures at Lake Ballard.
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Okay, that’s it. You keep going to all these fascinating places, and it’s just time for me to simply move in with you so I can come along on your journeys. I’ll let you know when I land at the airport… 😉
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Too easy. We’re about a 10-minute drive from the airport.
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I would enjoy a visit. Such an interesting mind behind these sculptures.
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You’re so right. I love his thinking.
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These are amazing!
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Such fun too.
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What fun! And something to look at in the desert.
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The desert has lots to offer.
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I have a hard time seeing that, even though I know it is true.
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Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal.
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Thanks so much. Always appreciate your support.
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Great stuff!
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Thanks so much.
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So Australia! Lol
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Yep, so Australian. hahaha
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A marvellous concept, somehow appropriate to such a barren landscape. I need the video to confirm that the dog’s head was actually a whole Chrysler.
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I think the video will confirm the Chrysler.
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It certainly did.
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Great.
It was particularly interesting to hear how they raised the planes.
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Wish I could have been there for the plane raising.
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Great work by Cooke. He’s got a ton of imagination. Do you know if there’s anything like this in the American deserts?
Neil S.
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Don’t know of any US versions. Over to you to discover..
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That’s a brilliant idea, Peggy. I like how they look so different when seen close up in the video.
Best wishes, Pete.
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So glad you took the time to view the video. Gives a great perspective.
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Nice capture. 👁👁🍃
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Thanks so much.
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Interesting! A bit quirky.
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Quirky, perfect description.
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Thanks for all your wonderful stories!
Sent from my iPad
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Aw shucks. Thanks.
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What a fun sculpture garden! I love how industrial waste was turned into art. I think my favorites are the dog and the person.
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They are great choices Sheryl. I love that industrial waste gets used so creatively.
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Whimsey in Oz. Who’d have thought it?
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Oh gosh, you made me laugh.
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Fantastic!
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You’re right. They are fantastic.
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That was eerie seeing the sculptures in the middle of nowhere. It gave me a Mad Max feel!
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I’m not surprised about you sensing Mad Max. Scenes in the second and third films were set in outback Australia.
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Love these.
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So glad we got to see them.
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All I can say is wow!
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That’s what I said too!
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The creativity reminds me of Burning Man, Peggy. (On one of my first visits artists from the Bay Area had welded together two oil tankers.) –Curt
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Ah yes, I guess I can feel as if I’ve visited a mini Burning Man.
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It’s a start. 🙂
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I haven’t done that track, nice to see. I love the humour of the sculptors.
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Oh do try the Oodnadatta Track. It’s not too remote and an easy drive.
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Yes, it looks great and fun too.
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I love the wildflower sculpture!
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It’s a real beauty.
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These are awesome. I would love to visit there someday! Thank You.
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Most welcome. It’s well worth the trip.
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Amazing,thanks for sharing
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You are most welcome.
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What a delightful find! Love the art and the backstory!
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So do I.
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I love this stuff. The Southwest is full of it. I used to drive the two-lanes of East and Central Texas and Lousiana, Oklahoma – I’d drive past houses and farms full of crazy welded art. It’s almost become suburban trendy. The airplanes reminded me of Cadillac Ranch and I was trying to get a visual artistic significance, crosses, religion, until I backed up… and they’re dancing! How crazy fabulous is that?
Thanks!
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Brilliant detective work. The planes are dancing. Glad you mentioned Cadillac Ranch. I’ve always wanted to visit Carhenge in northwest Nebraska.
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C’est marrant toutes ces oeuvres, petites ou grandes, perdues dans la nature 😉
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It is amazing to find such things in the middle of nowhere.
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Oh I love that windmill turned flower! I’ve always admired those that can take one thing and transform it into something glorious and new. Bash does this with our recycling sometimes, and it makes my heart smile every time. xxxxxx
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You should do a post on some of Bash’s creations.
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lol I should! Currently all boxes in our house are turned into racecars, his comfies dressed in paper helmets and gear he’s drawn for them. xxxxx
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Creativity running through the family. 🙂
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What a fascinating place. Isn’t it simply amazing what treasures the outback holds.
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You can’t help but wonder how many treasures are out there.
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Indeed. We’re just about to head out to Mungo again
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Oh, I’m jealous. Have a wonderful time.
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Great article Peggy. Well thought out photographs. What a mad and wonderful place. Missed it when you first posted.
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I just wish I’d had enough time to walk all the way to the water tank/Chrysler dog. Woof, woof!
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Absolutely fascinating. And it does not even seem to be on any tourist map. Perhaps that is part of its beauty.
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You’re right. I’ve checked a couple of tourist maps—even one for the Oodnadatta Track—and the sculpture park isn’t mentioned. I guess that makes it a lucky find.
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Incredible and fabulous sculptures only using scrap metal. In Peru 40 years ago, sculptor David Delfin used the same technique with scrap metal of all kinds and became known worldwide. So so that he made exhibitions throughout Europe. That’s why he brings me those memories because as a university student, on weekends I collected those remains for him because he lived near my residence, Barranco. Lime. As always, an impeccable story and photos out of series. Regards.
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Oh wow, that is a fascinating story. How lucky you were to be involved in his work. I’m pleased to bring you good memories.
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Youth was a wonderful and unforgettable stage .. A hug
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What an exciting sculptural garden created by Robin Cooke, an artist who speaks social truth in his creations.
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So glad we were able to see this collection.
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The Middle of Nowhere is everywhere we choose to see.
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I am proud to come from a special Middle of Nowhere—Nebraska.
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That train crept along slowly or had many stops?
This is the train that’s a stunning trip after rains as the desert blooms, correct?
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We were on a bus rather than a train for this expedition, but you’re right about the trains that run when the desert rains and blooms.
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Hooray for Robin Cooke. continue…
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Yes indeed.
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Liked & Shared. Thank you !
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https://twitter.com/outosego/status/1335540791855476736
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Many thanks.
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No problem. You’re very welcome!
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Placed into my Magazine : Bloggers Best Hit
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https://flipboard.com/@outosego/bloggers-best-hit-htp084kmz
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Thanks for the link. I haven’t seen Flipboard before.
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haha… i know, dear! Do you like it ?
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I need to look around some more.
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And on WP Reader :
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https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/166033182/posts/2020
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That was last year when we could still travel. Thanks.
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Yes, i see. Very interesting adventures i have to admit. I appreciate your will and passion to pass all those experiences to us, the readers.
Your posts and blog are wonderful. Congratulations.
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Thanks so much.
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This kind of place is totally worth a long road trip to see. Love it.
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A real treat when we come upon this kind of place.
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I found the Mutonia Sculpture Park near Callanna — thanks for sharing these marvelous sights.
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It’s a wonderful and quirky sculpture garden.
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