Massive new ‘Connections’ statue turning heads at Centennial Park

It’s the four-metre-tall statue that’s appeared on Goodwood Rd — and has already brought some to tears. There’s a lovely meaning behind the giant pair of hands.

An artwork to stir the emotions and symbolise togetherness was the brief from the Centennial Park Cemetery Authority that is thrilled with its statement sculpture, of a pair of hands, by award-winning artist Karl Meyer.

The four-metre-high structure named “Connections” stands at the entrance to the Centennial Park Cemetery on Goodwood Rd at Pasadena.

CPCA chief executive Janet Miller said it was a unanimous decision of all involved to choose Meyer’s design from more than 30 entries, all but one of them being from South Australia.

The 4m-high “Connections” sculpture by Karl Meyer at Centennial Park Cemetery is turning heads after it was unveiled on Monday night.

“We chose the one that we felt best connected with the essence of Centennial Park,” she said.

“It represents everything we are about, human connection, togetherness, warmth, care, friendship and support.”

The four-year project has been a closely guarded secret — as has the cost — but word is the figure is well in the six figures.

Ms Miller said the CPCA had “done their homework” to get the best possible result engaging in consultation with Arts SA, Mitcham and Unley Councils and other major groups commissioning major artworks.

The sculpture will be softly lit at night.

Mr Meyer, who was the winner of the 2018 Brighton Jetty Classic sculpture competition with his work “Foci”, previously displayed in Sydney as part of the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, spent nine months crafting the hands.

They are finished in glass fibre reinforced concrete, a product mainly used in exterior building facade panels and as architectural precast concrete.

The sculpture will be seen by the 500,000 visitors a year to the cemetery, which is the state’s largest, and by all those driving by on Goodwood Rd.

“This is a significant piece of public art for everyone to enjoy,” Ms Miller said.

“People are already saying it’s brought a tear to their eye on the way to work.

“It will be softly lit at night and will be just as striking. We think it will quickly be regarded as a state treasure.”