Giant sculpture Uniting A Nation set to soar over Torrens Lake

A FOUR-STOREY metal sculpture titled Uniting A Nation is proposed to rise from Torrens Lake near Pinky Flat. But there are four sites being considered — vote to tell the council your preferred option.

An artist’s impression of how the Uniting A Nation sculpture could look on the preferred site of Torrens Lake. Artwork: Ray Hirst

A GIANT sculpture titled Uniting A Nation, which divided the NSW State Government, is proposed to rise from the water near Pinky Flat on the River Torrens.

Philanthropist Basil Sellers has donated the four-storey high, five-tonne aluminium piece by renowned artist Terrance Plowright to the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Art Gallery director Nick Mitzevich and Adelaide City Council chief executive Mark Goldstone last year partnered to write a letter to Mr Sellers suggesting the 15m-tall sculpture be displayed “in a location that will provide a broad vista in a park land setting near the River Torrens”.

Four sites for the artwork, which is expected to have an initial 10-year loan from the gallery, have been proposed for Pinky Flat on the northern side of the River Torrens.

They are:

IN TORRENS LAKE, six metres from shore on the opposite bank to Adelaide Convention Centre. This is the recommended location with maximum visual impact and the lowest risk of public access or vandalism. It is preferred by all stakeholders including Kaurna elders.

ON THE RIVERBANK, on the opposite bank to Adelaide Convention Centre, to provide the illusion of the sculpture rising from the water’s edge.

IN THE PINKY FLAT PARK LANDS, at the northwest corner of the park near War Memorial Drive.

NEXT TO TENNIS SA, on the northeast corner of the intersection of War Memorial Drive and Morphett St.

The Uniting a Nation sculpture, by Terrance Plowright.

The installation of the sculpture — earmarked for May — and associated costs is estimated to be up to $550,000. Ongoing maintenance is expected to be $50,000 annually.

Council documents state “up to $300,000 of additional budget will be contributed by the donor and the Art Gallery for commission of the sculpture, transport, site investigation, conservation advice” and the launch and promotion of the project.

“Other funding sources will be explored with the Art Gallery for ongoing insurance and maintenance, as well as the opportunity for the benefactor to contribute to the cost of installation,” it states.

The $1 million artwork was commissioned after a “handshake” agreement between Mr Sellers and former NSW arts minister George Souris, but was at risk of never leaving the workshop in the Blue Mountains when a site along Sydney’s harbourfront could not be decided on.

Negotiations then stalled after Barry O’Farrell resigned as NSW premier, with his replacement Mike Baird dumping Mr Souris from the frontbench.

Three NSW councils — Gosford, Orange and Bland Shire — vied for the megasculpture after it was snubbed by Sydney. But it is now set to end up in Adelaide.

Mr Sellers is understood to have donated the sculpture as a “gift of gratitude to the Australian public, a country that welcomed him as a young migrant”, council documents state.

The four proposed sites for the giant aluminium sculpture.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said it was an extraordinary act of generosity.

“Council and myself all agree that this piece is very fitting on the river,” he said.

“It will be illuminated at night, and for local South Australians and visitors to our state who might be enjoying the Riverbank, attending the Convention Centre … I think it will add to the Riverbank precinct.”

The Adelaide Park Lands Authority is expected to note the project and give their support for one of the proposed locations at a meeting on Thursday.

The Art Gallery will consult with Renewal SA and the Riverbank Authority in February, however the intended installation date of May is subject to council, State Government planning and development approvals.

Once installed, the sculpture’s loan could be extended until 2038.

The structure is described as a “tribute to the forces of nature” and the bands of aluminium represent “universal themes of journeys, migration and travel”.

The upper symbol that represents constellations of stars, including the Southern Cross, is designed to be lit up at night.