Draft:Cast in Blue

Cast in Blue
A photograph of the sculpture Cast in Blue in Mount Gambier.
Cast in Blue in 2026
Map
ArtistTom Proctor, Mitch Walker
Year2025 (2025)
MediumAluminium
Location

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

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

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]

Social media users soon nicknamed the sculpture the "blue blob", on account of its soft, blob-like appearance and identifiable blue colour.

Incidents

Chipped paint

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

On 13 September 2025, a pair of googly eyes were affixed to the sculpture by a local teenager.[7]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Huna Studio - Cast in Blue". Sculpture Co. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  3. ^ "Light shines on Beacon project | The SE Voice". 8 April 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  4. ^ "Beacon Art Project". City of Mount Gambier. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b Boisvert, Eugene; Burke, Conor (17 July 2025). "Cast in Blue sculpture arrives in Mount Gambier". ABC News. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  6. ^ a b c 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.
  7. ^ a b Boisvert, Eugene (4 November 2025). "Mount Gambier woman charged over damage to city's Cast in Blue sculpture". ABC News. Retrieved 12 August 2026.

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