WITH the help of a $23,663State Government grant, Inverell Shire Council is about to dip its toe into the world of public art with the launch this week of a competition which will see the winning sculpture erected on the town’s Henderson Street roundabout.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, who announced the funding today, said council had applied for support through the Community Building Partnership program and he was delighted Inverell’s Creating a Cultural Icon project would soon get underway.
“Council will contribute the remaining funds to the project which will culminate in the commissioning of a piece of art work that will be installed at the roundabout,” Mr Marshall said.
“This week the council has opened the competition with a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from artists throughout the country.
“There are no conditions set on the art work’s structure or theme – artists have been asked to submit their design ideas as well as the total costings of the commission.
“These EOIs will be judged by a community based committee and it’s anticipated they will come up with a short list by the end of July, a final selection made by 28 August and installation completed by June next year.
“This is an exciting project for the whole community and I commend the council for this initiative. The end result will be an iconic piece of art that will be located in a high profile location for all to enjoy.”
Mr Marshall said artists experienced in creating large scale public art works and emerging artists have been asked to make submissions that utilise materials that are durable and will cope with temperature extremes.
“To give the competition an alternative approach and generate community involvement, an invitation has been extended to any person to submit a concept on how this roundabout should be enhanced,” he said.
“This is targeting people who aren’t seeking a commission to create the art work, but have a vision on what could be done to achieve a great piece of work.”
Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon said council expected the art work chosen for the roundabout would be innovative and of high artistic merit.
“Council has a view that public art is primarily a way of enhancing public spaces, but it can also have the secondary purpose of being a promotional vehicle for Inverell,” Cr Harmon said.