When starting out on the Riesling Trail I had no inkling that these creative sculptures existed on the outskirts of Clare and it is only from research since the ride that I have learned that they are an addition to the trailscape since its inception.

Located where the Riesling Trail crosses New Road, Clare, these sculptures by Mr. Ty Manning were unveiled in July 2013, having been commissioned based on donations from local residents and businesses.

Speaking of the work, reislingtrail.com.au Mr. Manning is quoted as saying that “the project started with six sheep and grew as they gained more sponsors, so I almost dreaded the phone calls from Ann Hawker to order another sheep.”

“Mr. Manning said each sheep took about 60 metres of mild steel to complete and he had spent many hours MIG-welding them together.”

The work that each piece must have taken to complete is extraordinary. Cutting the steel into approximately 50mm lengths would have been tiresome enough, but to weld each at just the right angle must have been a labour of love. I cannot believe that commission fees alone would have covered the effort required.

“Mr. Manning, who also made the possum sculpture which is the fauna emblem of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, has won prizes for his sculptures at Clare, Kapunda and Brighton art shows.”

“His Brighton Sculptures by the Sea winning sculpture, of a man sitting on a bench, was purchased by the local council and is installed on the esplanade at Semaphore Park.”