Northern Beaches Council has commissioned James Voller of Collide Public Art Initiative in collaboration with emerging artist, Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay man, Dennis Golding, to create a striking public artwork as part of the redevelopment of St David Avenue Park, Dee Why.
The large-scale, site-specific public art installation, will integrate with and enhance the Park. The work will explore memories of both culture and the landscape, with designs inspired by the local topography.
The design was developed in collaboration with local Aboriginal community members during an engagement process with the artists.
Mayor Michael Regan said the artwork will focus on where Dee Why has come from, where it is now and where it is headed.
"This will be an ambitious, contemporary public artwork that is vibrant, community engaged and manufactured to the highest standard.
"The work shares markings and memories from the world's oldest living culture and merges them with the latest digital and architectural technologies.
"Council is very supportive of innovative, high quality public art that enlivens our urban landscapes, and responds to the unique natural, social and built environment of the Northern Beaches."
Core to the work will be conversations Dennis Golding has with local Aboriginal community members. Council will also host a Meet the Artists event (Dee Why Library, Wednesday 7 April, 6-8PM) where Dennis and James will discuss their practices and proposed design, and take questions from the community.
Dennis Golding will be supported by Collide Public Art Initiative to translate his design into architectural materials.
Dennis Golding's design will be digitally produced and embedded within architectural panels, resulting in a vibrant work that is dynamic and will change as the viewer moves around it. A hidden internal lighting system promotion will encourage further interaction with the work.
It is planned that the project will be installed and completed by late September - October 2021.
The redevelopment of the park is currently underway. 15 trees will be planted in the space, including an advanced, four- metre Angophora Costata tree that replaces the London Plane tree that was removed recently due to terminal fungal disease.
The garden beds will be filled with native and introduced -species shrubs and ground cover that will mirror the plants in the gardens across the road in the Town Centre. Timber decking and paving will be offset by sandstone walls and steps.
