Silver ferns to loom over Surfers Paradise nightclub strip in $330,000 start to council’s art plan

Auckland or the Gold Coast? An 11m sculpture planned for the Glitter Strip may have visitors wondering where they are.

The work, titled Urban Oasis, will be created by international artist Alex Pentek. It features four stainless steel shield ferns, standing 11 metres tall together with a series of ground panels.

AN 11m artwork which would look more at home in Auckland than the Gold Coast is set to tower over the Glitter Strip.

The $330,000 set of sculptures, designed by international artist Alex Pentek, features four stainless steel shield ferns will pop up in April 2017.

A fern will be placed on each of the corners of Surfers Paradise Bld and Elkhorn Av.

Mayor Tom Tate said the sculpture, called Urban Oasis, was designed to encourage engagement with the precinct.

“This project sows the seeds for future city defining artworks,” Cr Tate said.

“We’re developing a public art plan and revising our public art policy, creating a framework to give arts and culture momentum beyond 2018.”

Cr Tate said council would also be offering the opportunity for an emerging Gold Coast artist to develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with Mr Pentek through the help of a $5000 grant.

The Irish artist has 19 years experience working on large-scale works across the world.

Mr Pentek will build the ferns in Ireland shipping the pieces back to Australia.

An independent jury picked five finalists from a pool of 50 submissions and gave them time to improve their submission before picking a winner.

Council endorsed Mr Pentek’s design on June 24.