Public Art

Council’s commitment to public art is expressed through a range of different public art opportunities that preserve, emphasise, enhance and expand on the distinctive local identity.

Our adopted Public Art Policy(PDF, 914KB)  is a statement of support and encouragement for the development of public art and public art opportunities within our local area. For developers, public art provides a valuable point of difference for the development and our adopted Public Art Guidelines for Developers(PDF, 5MB)  outline the expectations and steps to provide public art in major developments.

We also provide opportunities for artists and designers to create vibrant works for display in the public domain by requiring artwork on construction site hoardings. The Creative Hoardings Program sets out Council’s requirements for creative hoardings and will apply in certain circumstances when applications are made to erect a hoarding on public land.

Embark

Traffic Signal Box

Programs & projects

Commissions & Acquisitions

Donations

Loans

Professor Zhang Yangen, Sea's Nest. Yarranabbe Park, Darling Point. Acquired by the Trust. The inspiration of the sculpture comes from the shape of an egg, which implies that human life goes through the stages of birth, growing up and passing away. The sculpture with its cage-like egg shape, creates a window to the brick egg inside, bringing the viewer the idea of breath of life, as well as alluding to a possible mythological being from the sea.

Professor Zhang Yangen, Sea's Nest. Yarranabbe Park, Darling Point. Acquired by the Trust. The inspiration of the sculpture comes from the shape of an egg, which implies that human life goes through the stages of birth, growing up and passing away. The sculpture with its cage-like egg shape, creates a window to the brick egg inside, bringing the viewer the idea of breath of life, as well as alluding to a possible mythological being from the sea.

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Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

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Adam Long's Robots (repainted in 2016). New South Head Road/New Beach Road, Rushcutters Bay.

Adam Long's Robots (repainted in 2016). New South Head Road/New Beach Road, Rushcutters Bay.

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Artist Sam Harrison with his sculpture Seated Woman II

Artist Sam Harrison with his sculpture Seated Woman II

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Art Collection

Judy Cassab, Portrait of Rex Irwin (1990). Woollahra Council Chambers, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Judy Cassab. Excerpt from Judy Cassab's diary from 2 December 1990 - Rex Irwin's letter of last month: My dear Judy, a belated note to tell you how much I enjoyed our portrait sessions. I am sure I learned at least as much about you as you did about me! Even if my knee was numb, my mind was not. I never cease to be amazed how revealing sitting for a portrait is. One feels exposed on the one hand and a collaborator on the other. I am very pleased with the result, but I am sorry I caused you so much trouble! You should have spoken to my mother first and she would have told you I was troublesome. One thing I really admire about you is your honesty and your inventive, but correct use of the English language - you shame those of us to whom English is our native tongue. I truly understand your devotion and love for Jancsi who is my idea of a truly good man. I am very proud to have been admitted to your pantheon of friends. My love and thanks to you both.

Judy Cassab, Portrait of Rex Irwin (1990). Woollahra Council Chambers, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Judy Cassab. Excerpt from Judy Cassab's diary from 2 December 1990 - Rex Irwin's letter of last month: My dear Judy, a belated note to tell you how much I enjoyed our portrait sessions. I am sure I learned at least as much about you as you did about me! Even if my knee was numb, my mind was not. I never cease to be amazed how revealing sitting for a portrait is. One feels exposed on the one hand and a collaborator on the other. I am very pleased with the result, but I am sorry I caused you so much trouble! You should have spoken to my mother first and she would have told you I was troublesome. One thing I really admire about you is your honesty and your inventive, but correct use of the English language - you shame those of us to whom English is our native tongue. I truly understand your devotion and love for Jancsi who is my idea of a truly good man. I am very proud to have been admitted to your pantheon of friends. My love and thanks to you both.

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Nic Fiddian-Green, Spanish Stallion. Halls Lane Reserve, Woollahra. On loan courtesy of the artist and Olsen Irwin Gallery. British artist Nic Fiddian-Green has achieved great international success with his substantial and striking sculptures. The bronze sculpture Spanish Stallion is part of Fiddian-Green's series of equestrian sculptures.

Nic Fiddian-Green, Spanish Stallion. Halls Lane Reserve, Woollahra. On loan courtesy of the artist and Olsen Irwin Gallery. British artist Nic Fiddian-Green has achieved great international success with his substantial and striking sculptures. The bronze sculpture Spanish Stallion is part of Fiddian-Green's series of equestrian sculptures.

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Nic Fiddian-Green, Spanish Stallion. Halls Lane Reserve, Woollahra. On loan courtesy of the artist and Olsen Irwin Gallery. British artist Nic Fiddian-Green has achieved great international success with his substantial and striking sculptures. The bronze sculpture Spanish Stallion is part of Fiddian-Green's series of equestrian sculptures.

Nic Fiddian-Green, Spanish Stallion. Halls Lane Reserve, Woollahra. On loan courtesy of the artist and Olsen Irwin Gallery. British artist Nic Fiddian-Green has achieved great international success with his substantial and striking sculptures. The bronze sculpture Spanish Stallion is part of Fiddian-Green's series of equestrian sculptures.

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Jenny Green, Solitude. Guilfoyle Park, Double Bay. Donated by Jenny Green. Solitude reflects on peace and tranquility: freedom from distraction; a time for oneself; and the opportunity to contemplate, to dream, to create. As with most of Jenny's work, Solitude has its origin in the figure. Standing tall amongst the trees, the work builds on the tension between space and material to capture a moment, a feeling.

Jenny Green, Solitude. Guilfoyle Park, Double Bay. Donated by Jenny Green. Solitude reflects on peace and tranquility: freedom from distraction; a time for oneself; and the opportunity to contemplate, to dream, to create. As with most of Jenny's work, Solitude has its origin in the figure. Standing tall amongst the trees, the work builds on the tension between space and material to capture a moment, a feeling.

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Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

(JPG, 116KB)
Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

(JPG, 105KB)
Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

Paul Hopmeier, Lion. Trumper Park, Paddington. Acquired by the Trust. Paul Hopmeier's sculptures are inspired by works of art going back over three millennia, grappling with the physical matter of this quality and its production, as well as its possibility in contemporary sculpture. Design is the complete opposite of sculpture. Design is precise, planned and resolved, whereas a sculpture is quite unpredictable. Making sculpture involves continuous feedback, where the processes of looking, thinking and doing are all contributing to the end result in an unconstrained and spontaneous way.

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Paul Hopmeier, Burden. Foster Park, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Rosemary Foot AO.NSW based artist Paul Hopmeier creates abstract steel sculptures but brings a sensibility to the genre that has more to do with the tradition of carving.

Paul Hopmeier, Burden. Foster Park, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Rosemary Foot AO.NSW based artist Paul Hopmeier creates abstract steel sculptures but brings a sensibility to the genre that has more to do with the tradition of carving.

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Paul Hopmeier, Burden. Foster Park, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Rosemary Foot AO.NSW based artist Paul Hopmeier creates abstract steel sculptures but brings a sensibility to the genre that has more to do with the tradition of carving.

Paul Hopmeier, Burden. Foster Park, Double Bay. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Rosemary Foot AO.NSW based artist Paul Hopmeier creates abstract steel sculptures but brings a sensibility to the genre that has more to do with the tradition of carving.

(JPG, 89KB)
Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

(JPG, 102KB)
Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

Folko Kooper, Pelicans. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. On loan courtesy of Michael and Judy McMahon. Tasmanian artist Folko Kooper has created two proud pelicans, paying homage to the birds who frequently enjoy the harbour area of Rose Bay. Perching high on their poles, the pelicans keep a watchful eye over the bay as well as enjoying the sea breeze through their feathers.

(JPG, 303KB)
Kevin Norton, Kimono. Windsor Street, Paddington. On loan courtesy of the artist and Defiance Gallery. English born artist Kevin Norton captures the idea of the Japanese kimono in this abstract stainless steel sculpture.

Kevin Norton, Kimono. Windsor Street, Paddington. On loan courtesy of the artist and Defiance Gallery. English born artist Kevin Norton captures the idea of the Japanese kimono in this abstract stainless steel sculpture.

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Kevin Norton, Kimono. Windsor Street, Paddington. On loan courtesy of the artist and Defiance Gallery. English born artist Kevin Norton captures the idea of the Japanese kimono in this abstract stainless steel sculpture.

Kevin Norton, Kimono. Windsor Street, Paddington. On loan courtesy of the artist and Defiance Gallery. English born artist Kevin Norton captures the idea of the Japanese kimono in this abstract stainless steel sculpture.

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Campbell Robertson-Swann, One. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. Acquired by the Trust. Campbell Robertson-Swann has always been fascinated by the sculptural elements within architecture, in particular the window and all it represents, framing both the interior and exterior. The window creates intrigue and then continues to change the perception of the work with each step. The stainless steel and black steel play off each other, giving a sense that the work is superimposed on the landscape.

Campbell Robertson-Swann, One. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. Acquired by the Trust. Campbell Robertson-Swann has always been fascinated by the sculptural elements within architecture, in particular the window and all it represents, framing both the interior and exterior. The window creates intrigue and then continues to change the perception of the work with each step. The stainless steel and black steel play off each other, giving a sense that the work is superimposed on the landscape.

(JPG, 139KB)
Campbell Robertson-Swann, One. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. Acquired by the Trust. Campbell Robertson-Swann has always been fascinated by the sculptural elements within architecture, in particular the window and all it represents, framing both the interior and exterior. The window creates intrigue and then continues to change the perception of the work with each step. The stainless steel and black steel play off each other, giving a sense that the work is superimposed on the landscape.

Campbell Robertson-Swann, One. Lyne Park, Rose Bay. Acquired by the Trust. Campbell Robertson-Swann has always been fascinated by the sculptural elements within architecture, in particular the window and all it represents, framing both the interior and exterior. The window creates intrigue and then continues to change the perception of the work with each step. The stainless steel and black steel play off each other, giving a sense that the work is superimposed on the landscape.

(JPG, 199KB)
Professor Zhang Yangen, Sea's Nest. Yarranabbe Park, Darling Point. Acquired by the Trust. The inspiration of the sculpture comes from the shape of an egg, which implies that human life goes through the stages of birth, growing up and passing away. The sculpture with its cage-like egg shape, creates a window to the brick egg inside, bringing the viewer the idea of breath of life, as well as alluding to a possible mythological being from the sea.

Professor Zhang Yangen, Sea's Nest. Yarranabbe Park, Darling Point. Acquired by the Trust. The inspiration of the sculpture comes from the shape of an egg, which implies that human life goes through the stages of birth, growing up and passing away. The sculpture with its cage-like egg shape, creates a window to the brick egg inside, bringing the viewer the idea of breath of life, as well as alluding to a possible mythological being from the sea.

(JPG, 210KB)

Support and donation opportunities

For information on how to support public art projects and donation(PDF, 435KB)  opportunities through Council’s deductible gift fund, please contact us on 9391 7102 or email cultural@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

Enquiries

For more information, please contact:

Public Art / Cultural Team
Telephone: 9391 7102 and/or 9391 7135
Email: cultural@woollahra.nsw.gov.au

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