The City of Greater Geelong is seeking to commission a suitably qualified and experienced artist or creative team to develop a public artwork, creating a valued cultural asset and contribution to the redevelopment of Labuan Square in Norlane.
Artists working across a diverse range of wall-based media are warmly invited to apply through an Expression of Interest process.
The budget for the commission is up to $25,000 plus GST.
Overview
The Labuan Square redevelopment will create a community hub with the vision for this area to be a vibrant, green, attractive, friendly, accessible, and safe public space. Public art is an important outcome in this redevelopment, with strong support for a street art mural on the buildings at the entrance to the Square from Forster Street.
Feedback from community has demonstrated enthusiasm for the public artwork to add colour to the area and connect with the local community.
The Labuan Square Public Art Commission aims to exemplify the vision for public art as expressed in our Public Art Strategy, and give consideration to the unique qualities of the site, place and culture of the region.
Context
This area has strong community connection and engagement with the public in this area was identified as essential to a successful outcome.
Artists are invited to develop a concept proposal that allows for exploration and collaboration with the community. Artists will be expected to engage with the community prior to finalising their design, to ensure the community have strong connections with the final work.
Arts and Culture staff will work with the commissioned artist to realise this engagement and to ensure the integrity of the artist's work.
The budget reflects this additional community engagement requirement. A three-week engagement period has been allowed for in the timeline.
Artists are invited to consider the following context as a part of preparing their responses (note: these are a guide only and not to be considered mandatory criteria):
- Labuan Square is located nearby Cowies Creek, and the landscaping design is based upon four natural environs within that area: grassy plains, basalt rocks, woodlands and wetlands, and geomorphological cliffs. This design was developed in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional owners.
- This redevelopment will be a green space that encourages incidental play and is based on the flowing of the river.
- Labuan Square is named after Labuan Island, in Malaysia, to honour Norman Lane, after whom Norlane is named, and who was imprisoned on the island as a prisoner of war.
- Norlane has a strong industrial manufacturing history.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are encouraged to submit proposals.
Artists who are not of Wadawurrung cultural heritage will require endorsement from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners if the artist intends to reference Wadawurrung culture in their work.
Site location
Labuan Square is located between Forster Street and Tennyson Street in Norlane and features a green space between retail trade shopfronts.
The green space is scheduled for redevelopment, and this public art opportunity will enhance the redevelopment by providing an entrance statement on the walls facing out to Forster Street.
The two walls sit either side of the Forster Street entrance to the green space, facing north, and total 40 metres in length, with a height of approximately 4.3 metres.
