At Melbourne Quarter, Axolotl is proud to present The Marker, a sculptural work that brings together craft, history, and discovery.
Since colonial times, Batman’s Hill has been ground zero for change in Melbourne. From this hill the city grid was surveyed, before the land itself was levelled to make way for the freighting and storage that powered the city’s growth. To acknowledge the significance of this site, Broached Commissions designed a symbolic form of exploration, a surveyor’s telescope, and Axolotl brought it to life through complete fabrication and material creation.
Every element of The Marker was manufactured by Axolotl, including the marble plinth and the theodolite itself, crafted from scratch. The work brings together Axolotl Terracotta, marble, brass, cast glass, and mild steel, demonstrating the level of detail and material integration possible when fabrication and finish are developed as one.
Embedded within the sculpture is a pattern language by First Nations artist Maree Clarke, whose artistry also defines the services wall mural at Melbourne Quarter. The piece invites visitors to engage directly; the telescope reveals hidden patterning only when viewed through its lens, creating a moment of discovery and reflection.
Resting on a refined illuminated plinth, the work also shares the history of the site through the voice of a First Nations author, offering a powerful counterpoint to colonial narratives and ensuring multiple perspectives are seen and heard.