Artwork 'hung' in Sydney street

Patonga artist Mr Michael McIntyre has won a design competition to see his 20-tonne art work made from a blackbutt tree installed in the Sydney CBD.

Entitled Underwood Ark, the work has been unveiled in Underwood St behind the EY Centre near George St.

The tree, sourced from a forest near Tomerong, was suspended 10 metres above the street.

Mr McIntyre said the artwork stood as a memorial to natural Australia prior to European settlement and as a reminder to how the Sydney region had changed since 1788.

He said his work aimed to celebrate the history of the site and create a public laneway, as well as inspiring a sense of awe for the natural world.

"The project seeks to encourage viewer engagement and promote interest in exploring the public spaces of the city, while triggering thought about our shared history and the fragility of our environment," Mr McIntyre said.

The competition was run by the National Art School for construction company Mirvac.

The sculpture, which was erected in four parts, required assistance from a number of stakeholders including the National Art School, Mirvac and the City of Sydney.

National Art School director Mr Steven Alderton said the school was thrilled that Mr McIntyre's visionary proposal was installed in Underwood St.

"This exciting, long-term partnership with Mirvac had its origins in 2014 when we embarked on a collaboration to provide opportunities for recent graduates of the school as emerging Australian artists." Mr Alderton said.

Mirvac managing director Ms Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz noted the importance of the art installation.

"Great public art, accessible to people from all walks of life, is an important contribution to our urban landscape," she said.

"We're extremely proud of the EY Centre and our work with Australian artists to activate the Underwood St laneway," Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said.

SOURCE:

Media release: 7 Aug 2017

Michael McIntyre, Patonga