Mayor’s take on HOTA critics: If you don’t like the art, have a drink then take another look

Mayor Tom Tate has a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for critics of the city’s controversial new artwork. Here’s what he thinks they should do. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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MAYOR Tom Tate suggests critics of the city’s new major artwork take a second look, down a beverage and have another peek before offering cheap criticism.

New council CEO David Edwards maintained a poker face at his first council meeting while some councillors laughed out loud as the Mayor talked up the Home of the Arts and launched an attack on some recent bad reviews.

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Artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran with his sculpture at the entrance of the new HOTA Gallery. Photo: Alex Chomciz.

He was defending a six-metre high bronze, concrete, neon and fibreglass sculpture that will stand outside the gallery’s entry door when it opens on May 8. The work was created by Sydney-based Sri-Lankan artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran.

“This was help commissioned by the Melbourne Art Foundation, so for those people who were in the Bulletin opinion pieces saying ‘yeah, here he goes again spending ratepayer funds’, they don’t know the facts,” Cr Tate told the meeting.

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“I think I welcome the money from the Melbourne Art Foundation. Art is subjective. I say to you, go up, get up close and personal, have a good look at it. Don’t like it, have another drink, keep doing it until you like it.

“Then by the end of night you go ‘that’s a great piece’.”

City of Gold Coast's new CEO, David Edwards, at his first council meeting with Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Jerad Williams.

The Mayor chuckled after the laughter from some councillors.

Cr Tate had earlier asked councillors and staff to welcome Mr Edwards, who was applauded as he sat next to the Mayor in the Evandale chamber.

Just before the close of the meeting, Mr Edwards told councillors: “I’m looking forward to having one-on-one discussions with all councillors and also meeting with stakeholders, and they are all being booked in at the moment — business people, tourism people, environment and community sector people as well.”

Gold Coast City Council's new CEO David Edwards. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Edwards said he would meet with Cr Tate on Thursday and senior staff to discuss “six focus areas” to be achieved in the next six months.

“I thank you for the opportunity of the role I’ve been given and I won’t let you down,” he said.

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