Major grant for commision at UniSA
by
Rebecca Jenkins
A stunning public artwork by one of Australia’s most successful
artists will be a symbolic centrepiece of UniSA’s new Chancellery
building.
Fiona Hall has been commissioned by the University to create a
thought-provoking piece for the entrance of the new building, which will
also house the University’s new Art Museum.
Hall, who lectured at the University’s School of Art for 14 years and
continues to live and work in South Australia, already has renowned
public artworks in Sydney and at the National Gallery of Australia,
Canberra, but this will be the first in her home state.
The work, entitled Different Forms of Intelligence, is made up of
several sculptural elements, each modelled into geometric shapes which
differently portray the human brain. The finished work will be
prominently displayed in a specially crafted glass ‘vitrine’,
incorporated as an architectural feature of the new building, designed
by WARDLE + HASSELL Architects in Association.
“In the world we inhabit today we are all too aware that intelligence,
and creativity can take many forms, and that the fostering of
multifarious ways of thinking and tackling problems and theories is of
utmost importance in our schools and universities,” Hall has said of her
inspiration for the commission.
Different Forms of Intelligence has attracted a $100,000 State
Government grant, provided through Arts SA.Premier Mike Rann, who announced the grant last month, said he was
delighted that Hall’s first major SA commission will be for a flagship
Adelaide building.
“This new contemporary work will make a welcome addition to the western end of North Terrace and become a new focal point along this magnificent cultural boulevard,” he said.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Denise Bradley said the Governments generous contribution was greatly appreciated.
“The Fiona Hall commision promises to be a memorable artwork of great artistic substance, by a South Australian artist at the peak of her powers,” she said.
The work is based on the five regular polyhedra known as the Platonic solids. The tetrahedron, octahedron, cube, icosahedron and dodecahedron. Hall will use a range of materials including bronze, steel, stone, wood and glass. There will also be an anatomically correct brain made from glass.
UniSA Art Museum Director Erica Green said it was fantastic and timely
that the University is undertaking such an artistically significant
project with Hall, given its strong links with the artist.
“Fiona Hall is one of the most successful and important contemporary
artists currently working in Australia and it is
remarkable, really, that she has not until now been awarded a major
public project of this kind, in this State.” Green said.
“As with all her works of art, Different Forms of Intelligence operates
on many levels, but it has strong themes of education and intellectual
endeavour, which fit perfectly with the philosophy of our university and
will appeal to many people.”
The new building, on the corner of Fenn Place and North Tce is due to be
opened in 2007.
A major survey exhibition of Hall’s work, The Art of Fiona Hall
1988-2005, developed by the Queensland Art Gallery and curated by Julie
Ewington, is on view in Adelaide at the Art Gallery of South Australia,
until September 11.