International artwork spotlights a council’s disregard of own public art policy
Perth City Council’s upcoming installation of a ‘Boonji Spaceman’ sculpture by an international celebrity artist has raised questions about how well the Council is adhering to its own public art policy.
A mock-up of City of Perth’s acquired sculpture ‘The Boonji Spaceman’ by Brendan Murphy, soon to be installed in Perth’s CBD as a permanent public artwork. Image: City of Perth website reproduced with permission from City of Perth
When it comes to iconic public art in Australia, there is already quite an impressive list on hand.
Judy Watson’s bara sculpture above Bennelong Point/Dubbagullee in Sydney is one significant example. Or Lindy Lee’s ‘giant egg’ – The Life of Stars on permanent display outside the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) in Adelaide (a work that could now be seen as a precursor to Lee’s recently unveiled Ouroboros commission for the National Gallery of Australia).
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
