AFTER abandoning plans to exhibit a super-sized replica of an Akubra hat, Orange City Council members are now on a mission to secure a four-storey-high aluminium sculpture by Blue Mountains artist Terrance Plowright.
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Uniting A Nation, which about 85 per cent completed, will eventually weigh around 4.5 tonnes so moving it from Mr Plowright’s studio will present a logistical challenge admits councillor Neil Jones who supports the acquisition.
“It’s amazing,” Cr Jones said.
“It’s a wonderfully symbolic work and securing it is something we should work towards.”
Cr Jones said there was no comparison between previous plans to install a giant Akubra and Mr Plowright’s work.
“That [the hat] was a crazy idea, nonsense,” he said.
The $1 million work was commissioned by philanthropist Basil Sellers and former NSW arts minister George Souris agreed to exhibit the work in Sydney however a site is yet to be determined.
Cr Jones said if the City of Sydney council is having trouble agreeing on where it should be exhibited, there may be an opportunity for Orange to offer to house the work.
“The acquisition would become a significant addition to our cultural scene,” he said.
“Art is all about challenging people’s perceptions.”
Cr Jones suggested installing the work in the overflow car park of the Orange Botanic Gardens, where it would be visible to passing tourists.
“It would also be symbolic to have it near Banjo’s cottage.”
Alternatively Cr Jones said the sculpture could be placed at the “gateway” to the city, near the driver reviver facility.
“I don’t think it should be at Lake Canobolas or the civic precinct,” he said.
Cr Jones said ratepayers should not be forced to cover any costs associated with the transport and installation of the sculpture.
Mr Plowright said he was honoured to learn of council’s plans.
“I’m enormously flattered that council has warmed to my sculpture with such a passion,” he said.
Mr Plowright said he had been told the sculpture would probably end up in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
“[But] People in politics move in strange ways so I can’t be definite about anything,” he said.
Mr Plowright said even if Uniting A Nation doesn’t end up in Orange he’d be delighted to work with council on the creation of another “significant” work.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting Cr Russell Turner put forward the notice of motion to proceed with plans to secure the artwork.
He said he had already spoken to member for Orange Andrew Gee who had approached the NSW minister for the environment Rob Stokes about the possibility.
Councillor Kevin Duffy put an amendment to council not to proceed with negotiations until council had reviewed the motion, but his amendment was defeated.