Backstory: On Black Saturday, February 7, 2009, a massive bushfire tore through Marysville in Victoria. It destroyed the town and wiped out Bruno Torfs’ home, gallery, and beautiful art garden. Almost all of his 300 handmade sculptures were lost in the fire. Despite everything, Bruno chose to stay in Marysville and slowly rebuilt his home and garden.
His story is a beautiful reminder of resilience. It’s amazing how, after such a great loss, he was able to create beauty again from the ashes. Jack saw a post about some new sculptures we hadn’t seen on our last visit a few years ago, so we decided to take the hour-and-a-half drive back to his art garden. For Jo’s Monday Walk and Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge
So excuse me to say that I had to go first to the wash room before diving in on our walk. This was what greeted us in front of it.
Now this is the main entrance where we paid $10 per person because it is a weekday. I think it is more for weekends.
One of the signs here says, “Forty life-size sculptures were badly damaged by fallen trees during the firestorm. Most of them are being restored and returned to the garden.”
Bruno’s own sense of humor adds to the whole experience. People describe him as “fun” and “witty,” which really shows through in his art and the playful feel of the garden.
One of the sign here says: “This is LEON PETROV 404 years old his long life Secret is revealed under his hat.” When we lifted the cup it says Love and Humour… which is so true!
His sculptures are full of wonder, magic and fantasy.
Of course my walk comes without saying… some doors for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.
The garden is filled with all sorts of weird and wonderful characters, each with their own charm and story to tell. I believe his favourite are Trolls, there were so many of them.
Some flowers for Floral Friday Challenge.
Some seats and benches all throughout the garden. For Jude’s Bench Challenge
and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Here are very intricate sculptures.
You can automatically hear music playing when you go near some of these sculptures.
And here are some of my favourites.
And as we were leaving we saw Bruno’s wife, Christina, who was very friendly and obliged to have her photo taken. The couple were very hands on, as I saw them cleaning out fallen leaves and dirt with their gumboots on the river.
What a fabulous place.
It is really. Thanks Marie.
What a garden, Teresa! The faces and figures are so full of character and there’s so much variety! The man must never sleep. Thank you so much for sharing with me xx
My pleasure Jo! Wanted to go here for quite sometime but just had the chance to do so now that Jack is also retired.
What a charmig and positive example of true resilience! Thanks for taking us along Theresa.
Truly a great example. I am just scared for them because the garden is set amidst tall trees so when it is summer and it’s dry.
What a wonderful story about resilience and dedication. Thank you for the journey.
Glad you came with me on my walk, Donna.
Wow Teresa what a great find. Some of them are so lifelike, I had to zoom in on the man on the bench, I mistakenly thought it was Jack 🤣. How sad he lost so many . This is going on my list for our next visit.
Thanks for sharing
Quite far from Melbourne CBD but still worth a Day trip. Glad you liked it. Haha funny how you thought it was Jack
Wow!! What an amazing place! These are absolutely fantastic, this guy has so much talent. If I have any favourites at all they are the fantasy ones but I love them all.
Thanks Eunice. It is really hard to have favourites on a vast collection. lad you liked the fantasy ones.
How fantastic!!!
Thanks Tiffany.
Oh what a wonderful place! Exactly the sort that I love to explore, and with the added inspiration of Bruno’s response to and recovery from the fire. I especially love that last partly overgrown sculpture!
That one reminds me of the Mud Maid in the Lost Gardens of Heligan. I like that one too.
For sure, I love that one too. His woman figures look so delicate.
He’s very talented, they are very lifelike. What a wonderful place to visit. And thank you for the benches.
Yes, agree with that… very talented and artistic indeed!
What a wonderful place, Teresa. I love the photos. The sculptures are so lifelike and the scenes are amazing. I didn’t think I’d be able to choose a favorite, but I love the woman in the rowboat. Thank you for sharing the photos and for including Thursday Doors in the challenges you covered.
I think that woman in a boat was one of those destroyed in the fire and he had to rebuild. It is so pretty especially that it is there in the running water.
I can’t imagine the sadness associated with that fire. It’s amazing that he has been able to rebuild.
Yes, it is his perseverance. And happy that he is still continuing to do his wonderful work.
What a beautiful story of resilience! The spirit of the place; the doors, statues, garden are magic and fantastic.
Thanks Brenda, I love the peace that it gives you while walking around.
How beautiful. I’ve never seen or heard of this. Thank you for sharing it. Hope to get there….it’s so lovely #FloralFridayFoto
Thanks Lydia, it is not an iconic site but still would be wonderful to visit.
What a wonderful place to explore and witness resilience, Teresa. All the sculptures are lifelike and the garden setting is fantastic. Thank you for your public art share.
Always a pleasure, Natalie. I gotta visit the place one more time, really love it!