Call for $1.3m art installation at Elizabeth Quay
Planning and Culture and the Arts Minister John Day is calling for expressions of interest from artists across Australia for a major public artwork at Elizabeth Quay.
The $1.3million piece at the top of the inlet will be the entry statement from the city to the quay.
As part of the $440million project budget, up to 10 public art pieces will be commissioned to capture the history of the area, enrich the public spaces and engage visitors for years to come.
“Art brings an exciting and interesting element to a new public space and this public art program presents some unique opportunities for talented artists to be part of this extraordinary project,” Mr Day said.
There will also be a piece of art at Barrack Street Jetty that reinterprets the school signatures from the Bell Tower, a collection of 2D and 3D Aboriginal artworks and a sculpture of Bessie Rischbieth, a leading social figure whose civil action in the 1960s symbolises shifting attitudes to recognising the natural attributes of the Swan River.
The Minister also announced that WA-based joint venture, Decmil Group Limited, Structural Systems and Hawkins Civil, had been selected for a $20million contract to construct the 110 metre-long pedestrian bridge with Australian fabricated steel.
“Spanning the width of the new inlet, the bridge will be a piece of art in itself with elegant double arches, steel balustrading and lights. It will be a distinctive architectural feature for Perth’s skyline,” he said.
“This contract is another example of how the construction of Elizabeth Quay is of benefit to the economy and creating local employment opportunities. To date more than 140 small to medium companies have received work due to this project and it is expected to create more than 1,600 direct and indirect jobs during construction over the next five to 10 years.
“Local company Clinton Long Project Management has also been selected to reconstruct the Florence Hummerston Kiosk on the new island this year.”
Mr Day said it had been two and a half years since work started on site with more than 250,000 hours worked by Leighton Broad and its contractors in the past 12 months.
Fact File
- Elizabeth Quay is on time and budget
- The art program is in line with the State Government’s Percent for Art Scheme – to improve the quality of the built environment and create opportunities for artists
- Up to four artists will be shortlisted and invited to a workshop to develop their concepts
Source: News Release Minister for the Arts John Day, 09 September 2014