The Wands: A Spiritual Pilgrimage in Bendigo
The River of Tears sculpture - on display at Bendigo Cemetery
Remembrance Parks Central Victoria is proud to participate in The Wands, a sculpture exhibition by artist Ben Wrigley and his collaborators, which is comprised of five intricate sculptures carved from the same 100-year-old pine tree that fell during a storm in Victoria.
The sculptures represent the five stations of life and are located at various sites across Bendigo.
Amoeba
Matter Becoming
Bowl of Plenty
Transcendence
The River of Tears
The fifth sculpture, The River of Tears, is suspended in Bendigo (Quarry Hill) Cemetery on the Houston Street side. Also known as ‘Charon’s Punt’, the wounded healer who carries the dead across the river Stix, a transition from the earthly realms. Its message of passage offers a moment of contemplation on grief and transition.
In the words of the artist, The Wands serve not only as sculptures but as spiritual tools, each carved from the same tree and symbolizing an interconnectedness of life, death, and transformation. Through this process, Ben channels his personal experience with grief and healing into a universal narrative about the flow of life and the forces of nature.
We encourage you to take some time to undertake the pilgrimage to view the five sculptures which are available until 20 June 2025 and immerse yourself in the journey that these works of art represent.
Click here to learn more about The Wands.