Giant sky high lion artwork to ‘guard’ entry to Melbourne

A giant coloured lion that will be visible from the West Gate Freeway and serve as a “visual gateway” to Melbourne’s arts precinct is set to be erected in Southbank.

An artist's impression of the ‘Guardian Lion’ artwork, which will be installed on the side of a Southbank building.

A giant LED coloured lion based on a mythical Victorian big cat is set to tower over the city in a sky high artwork visible to motorists from the West Gate Freeway.

The 18.7m wide, 15.4m high design will take pride of place on the side of a Southbank building as part of the $2.8b Melbourne Square project by Malaysian developer OSK Property.

The ‘‘Guardian Lion’’ draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture and Japanese symbolism, where animals guard entrances to shrines and signify strength.

The developer said the Lion would “guard the grounds and people within Southbank, standing as a protector welcoming people to the city’’.

The winning design draws on Victorian folklore by referencing the ‘Grampians big cat’.

And they likened the new mural, designed by Melbourne artist Troy Emery, to Richmond’s beloved Skipping Girl, which first lit up the suburb in 1936.

Mr Emery won a competition to design “a visual gateway” to connect Melbourne Square with the neighbouring arts precinct through “a large-scale and visually striking sculptural artwork”.

He said his winning design drew on Victorian folklore by referencing the “Grampians big cat” – a mythical creature from the mountains of regional Victoria.

Melbourne artist Troy Emery designed the new artwork.

“I want Guardian Lion to make people happy, to give people a sense of companionship as they travel through the area, like a friendly neighbourhood cat that greets passers-by,’’ he said. “Guardian Lion is a surrogate pet for the neighbourhood and for the city.’’

He liked the idea of his Kavanagh St work serving as a “gateway to the creative precinct’’ on the neighbouring NGV, Arts Centre, VCA, ACCA and Malthouse Theatre.

“This is such an incredible opportunity to contribute to the cityscape of Melbourne with a large-scale public artwork,’’ he said.

An artist's impression of the "Guardian Lion" artwork, which will be installed on the side of a city building.

OSK Property Australia chief executive Chong Boon Woon said it commissioned the lion “to create a “long-lasting and meaningful piece to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Southbank.

“We are immensely proud to enrich the cityscape with this public art installation and hope it becomes a beloved landmark and source of joy for the residents, community and visitors alike,” he said.

“Guardian Lion’’ will be a laser cut aluminium fixture with LED flex lighting which emits “an intense spectrum of colour that will be unmissable from those entering the city from the south or passing by on the Westgate Freeway.’’

The total cost of the art work is being kept secret but the Herald Sun was told it was “a significant investment.’’

Originally published as Giant sky high lion artwork to ‘guard’ entry to Melbourne