New works of art illuminate the construction sites of the city

Ten new large-scale works of art will soon adorn the protective fences around the city’s busiest construction areas thanks to the City of Sydney’s creative hoarding program.

In a bid to liven up the streets of Sydney, developers building in high traffic areas are required to cover their picket fences with artwork by a living Australian artist or relevant historical imagery. Construction companies can use artwork licensed by the City of Sydney for free.

This latest round of selected artwork was chosen from hundreds of submissions. While there were no limitations on artwork concepts, artists could choose to respond to three themes – Eora Journey: Recognition in the Public Realm, LGBTIQA+ Pride, and Expansive Greening.

“What a fantastic way for local artists to showcase their work loud and clear on busy roads and intersections, injecting creativity into our daily lives,” said Mayor Clover Moore.

“Not only does the program light up the streets and make the city a better place to visit and walk through, but it provides work for artists, many of whom have struggled to exhibit during the pandemic.

“We’ve selected some beautifully artistic pieces that are sure to inspire, delight and engage Sydneysiders as they pass by and I can’t wait to see them installed across the city.”

Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding’s work, Coloring Memory, is inspired by his childhood in Redfern, surrounded by iron lacework on the balconies of townhouses in the neighborhood.

Reimagining Victorian fences as colorful shields, native plants cover ancient European motifs as a reclaiming of space and a sharing of First Nations history.

“These objects were part of our daily life. I color them through my connection to place and memories of the past,” said Dennis Golding.

Heavy Light by artist Andrew Christie and Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre, an organization that organizes dance and theater training for people with disabilities, combines digital and performance.

The dancers have created avatars of themselves that express the thrills and tensions of the stage, the importance of visibility and the weight of self-confrontation.

“We opted for natural shapes for the avatars, allowing each dancer to make a specific element their own while still feeling continuously connected to the whole. While affirmative and colorful, the images also speak to the unassuming power that comes with admitting feelings of inadequacy or sharing your desires – it empowers others to do the same,” said Andrew Christie. This is the third cycle of the successful creative billboard program. So far, the City of Sydney has licensed 30 high-quality contemporary Australian artworks which have been used on more than 220 palisades across the region over the past five years. Visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cultural-support-funding/creative-hoardings-program to

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