Sculpture, The (ATOM Study Guide)

Philanthropist Basil Sellers and artist Terrance Plowright have come together to create an impressive, multi-million-dollar public sculpture that is symbolic of Australia’s Indigenous and migrant heritage. Basil intends to donate the work to Australia as a gift. However, in a world where public art is both lauded and mocked, what begins as a twelve-month project escalates to a ten-year roller coaster ride. Both artist and philanthropist are pushed to their limits emotionally, artistically, and financially, as many obstacles threaten to derail their good intentions. At the close of the documentary, the sculpture, titled Uniting a Nation is awaiting a final location in South Australia.

Curriculum Links

The Sculpture is a documentary that would most appropriately serve the following subjects in the Australian secondary school curriculum:

• Year 10 English
• Year 10 Civics and Citizenship
• Year 10 Visual Arts
• Year 10 History
• Year 11–12 Senior English
• Visual Arts and Media Studies
• Australian History
• HASS

The Sculpture is also relevant to Cross-curriculum Priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, as well as the General Capabilities of:

• Ethical understanding
• Critical and Creative Thinking
• Literacy

This feature delves into themes of:

• Public art
• Philanthropy
• Immigration
• Racism
• Cancel culture
• Politics
• Misogyny