‘Monument of the Eora’: City of Sydney’s newest harbour artwork
Fresh images of Sydney Harbour’s newest landmark have been revealed as the City of Sydney presses ahead with a multimillion-dollar indigenous art program.
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More than a decade since it was first earmarked a long-awaited Aboriginal art installation on Sydney Harbour has taken a step closer to reality.
The imposing City of Sydney project, dubbed the ‘Monument of the Eora’, would overlook the Sydney Opera House and sit on the Royal Botanic Gardens’ scenic Tarpeian Lawn.
Under the $1.25 million plan currently on public exhibition, the marble artwork in the shape of a ‘bara’ – or shell hook – would rise 6.3m high and span 5.6m wide.
“The high topography of the site affords clear views to Sydney Harbour and its various iconic landmarks, including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and the surrounding Circular Quay area,” planning documents state.
Planning for the project dates as far back as 2007, when community engagement began between the council and stakeholders including community leaders and government agencies.
It was approved as part of the council’s ‘Eora Journey: Recognition in the Public Domain’ program in June 2012, before a concept design was revealed six years later.
The artwork has been designed by renowned indigenous Australian artist Judy Watson and Urban Arts Projects.
With a proposed installation date of winter 2020, it would be the fourth of seven projects to be delivered under the Eora Journey program.
The project has already received the backing of indigenous community leaders including Canberra University Professor Dennis Foley, University of Technology Sydney Professor Larissa Behrendt, Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation’s Bronwyn Penrith and Beau James of the Australian Maritime Museum.
Prominent Sydneysiders including former NSW premier Mike Baird and Australian Museum director Kim McKay have also previously expressed their support.
