Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden — Attraction in Marysville

Spent almost 2 hours here on Fri recently when I was told by a friend that only half would do. Good NOT to know much beforehand - preserves the intrigue. The artwork will enchant, amuse or make you ponder at every turn! It was a sunny day but I needed my puffer jacket as it is degrees colder in the garden under thick canopy of trees & fernery. Note that the place will be closed from June to July 2021. The indoor gallery was not open weekday - I had no time anyway. 10 mins walk from MIRA if you are taking the public transport.

The payment system leaves a lot to be desired. Cash only - $10 adult, $5 child - put into an Honesty Box. I did so only to be regarded doubtfully when one of the owners - Cristina turned up. If this attraction is one of the major drawcards of Marysville (owner-sculptor Bruno Torfs's work is prominently displayed in front of MIRA) - it should have a proper payment system. No toilets onsite either - the nearest is public toilets at Mira.

It is not just the intricate little details of the sculptures that is beguiling - it also challenges your perceptions. If you can discern it - the sculptor's ironic "commentary" on everyday life is quite amusing. The more realistic sculptures are interspersed amongst the fantasy figures. Like the approach from the rear of the sculpture looks like a semi draped female but then have a lol moment when you turn to the front. Sculptor's eye for whimsy in nature & people won my admiration. Though there are also artwork that takes on a more sinister meaning & gives you the creeps...

Kids will love it but will have to be strictly supervised. The effort to restore has been obviously painstaking - judging from the photos of devastation of the 2009 fires which burnt both the home & garden to the ground. So please respect the signs everywhere that says "do not touch the sculptures". There are also signs that explain what the sculptures are about which is helpful. However - the drawback is - everything is jumbled up with no cohesive narrative which might be the intention.

For those who are dismissive - check out the Indigenous man with Didgeridoo - that is art in realism. The whole place is reminiscent of William Ricketts technique of melding fired terracotta onto to natural elements. Ferni the Giant took my breath away..The fast flowing Steavenson's river through the garden & water features just adds to the aura of enchantment with artwork scattered in the most unlikely places. Take loads of vids & pics - I had to - not only to see details missed but I also ran...

Love this place! Great for all ages, very easy flat walk around with so many sculptures that are so creatively placed throughout the maze like outdoor area as well as made as they are all so different. Many sculptures are made with everyday household items but certainly don't look like junk or that no effort or thought have been put into them. The names are very clever and each sculpture has its own theme or story to tell. There are currently 166 sculptures and some have a few features to count so it's a great little activity for kids along the way to keep them interested. A few of the sculptures do have women with tops on but no front 'private regions' are shown on either male or female sculptures. The river is incorporated really well and you feel like you're at the end but there's even more to discover. You can make the walk as long or as short as you need/want. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children and Bruno the artist is so often there and will happily answer any questions you may have. Wheelchairs could have full access throughout the whole sculpture park but the paths are very natural or with pebbles so as long as the chair can be pushed through on not just a sealed path you could definitely visit! Highly recommend a visit if you're Marysville, so impressed with Bruno's work and you can see how the bushfires of 2009 had effected the area through the photos that are next to a lot of the sculptures, you wouldn't know fires had once devisated this area the way it looks now with a the sculptures so it was so interesting to see the difference. There is no toilet here but across the other side of the oval there is a nice public toilet or at the Marysville Bakery which is not far...

The original and unique artworks of sculptor and painter Bruno Torfs continues to bring joy and inspiration to visitors from all over the world. Nestled amongst the luscious rainforest setting lives a collection of unforgettable characters lovingly hand crafted by Bruno from clay and fired onsite in his kiln. Bruno has created a world rich with fantasy and insightful beauty derived from his imagination and inspired by his intrepid journeys to some the world most intriguing and remote regions.

Unfortunately on the 7th of February 2009 a bushfire raged through the township, decimating everything in its path without mercy and claimed the lives of our friends and neighbours indiscriminately. Bruno was extremely lucky to survive and the rest of the family are safe and well. Bruno's home and art gallery were unfortunately completely destroyed in the blaze.

Bruno chose to stay in Marysville to rebuild his home and restore the gardens. Bruno’s passion to share his love of art and the story of life with the world has not been damaged by the fires, in fact you would almost say it has been forged anew by the flames that nearly took it all away.

Whether you are new to Bruno’s works or a friend from way back, rest assured that this is far from the end of anything, it is just the beginning of something even more special. Visit us again soon or better still pop in to see us...