Spotlight on: Karen Alexander’s ‘Spirit Girl’
One of Tom Bass Sculpture School's eminent teachers, Karen Alexander talks us through the creation of Spirit Girl (pictured above) which was commissioned by St Patrick’s College for Girls, Campbelltown. The installation of Spirit Girl was to mark 180 years of independent catholic education in Campbelltown and 50 years on their current site. A huge congratulations to Karen for all her hard work on completing this impressive and wonderful commission!
Article by Karen Alexander
The scope was large, and the process involved months of research from the school historian, the teachers and the students. Carrying forward Tom Bass’ ethos of totemic sculpture, my approach was to understand those within the school community and what the school meant to them. I find this a very exciting process of gathering information, stories and finding the thread that connects the community.
"Karen's influence for Spirit Girl encompasses many elements, originating from the idea of community and religious spirit and culminating in a figurehead for the students of St Patrick's. Closely entwined are the stories of the Lyrebird, the Kurrajong tree, the Flame and the Waratah flower, representative's of the land on which the school stands and the journey of its origination. Celebrating 180 years of education in 2020, St Patrick’s School was founded in 1840, the first Catholic school in Australia to be built by private subscription; today the original building, Quondong Cottage, houses the Campbelltown Information Centre." Sue Lennox, Principal.
The elements of the sculpture:
The Figurehead - reflects a strong sense of self, the individual and the opportunities provided to lead them forward into the future. The standing pose was inspired from drawings of the lyrebird, a traditional totem of the local indigenous Dharawal people; represented in the college’s reconciliation garden Yandelora, a reflective space enjoyed by the students.
Lyrebird Feathers - supporting the outstretched hands of Spirit Girl. Yandelora, The Land of Peace between Peoples, a Dharawal dreaming; the Lyrebird seeks the truth and speaks all languages.
The Flame - Held in the left hand. The School Emblem, representing ‘The Lord is my Light’ as a reminder that Christ is the centre of life at the College.
The Waratah - Held in the right hand. An Australian native flower and NSW floral emblem. The botanical name Telopea meaning “seen from a far”, a beacon in the Australian bush.
Kurrajong Tree – Supporting the figure. Native tree represents growth and maturity, with fruits and flowers flourishing from a holistic education. Inspired from St Patrick’s School House (now known as Quondong Cottage), built 1840 by the local Irish Catholic community, the first independent Catholic school in Australia. A Kurrajong tree stood outside the original school (mistaken for Quondong tree).
The Base – the bow, represents the hill the school is built on with the tree’s roots drawing from Benedictine Values – Social Justice, one hand supporting another (left); ‘Listen with the ear of your heart’, heart and ear together (right); The open Bible with school motto, ‘The Lord is My Light” (bottom centre).
Spirit Girl is made of Bronze and stands at 2 metres height, positioned on the internal grounds of the school buildings.
The students are encouraged to place ribbons & flowers on her, and celebrated Harmony Day doing just that.
The sculpture was installed in January 2022.
Karen Alexander
Image credits:
From top: Karen working on the marquette of Spirit Girl.
Middle image: Spirit Girl in clay before the casting and bronze process.
Bottom images: Karen and Spirit Girl being delivered for installation, finished bronze Spirit Girl installed in her new home. Main image: