A new landmark artwork will be commissioned for the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) as part of the McGowan Government’s continued commitment to revitalising the Perth Cultural Centre.
The $2 million project will provide a visual landmark to attract visitors to the cultural precinct and will respond to, engage with and complement the iconic main AGWA building.
The new work will build on the McGowan Government’s 2017 election commitment to transform the Perth Cultural Centre (PCC), which included the AGWA Rooftop venue, indoor gallery space and unveiling of the rooftop artwork Targets by Minang/Wardandi/Bibbulmun artist Christopher Pease.
Together with the opening of the WA Museum Boola Bardip in 2020 and a $20 million commitment to reactivate the PCC through the Perth City Deal, the new work is expected to inspire and attract visitors from interstate and around the world.
Artists from across the globe are invited to express their interest from today at https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/external-art-commission. A formal call for submissions will open in December 2021.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“This new artist commission continues the evolution of the Perth Cultural Centre, making the precinct more attractive for local visitors and cultural tourists.
“Arts and culture activities provide much needed social connection and support economic wellbeing. Growing the WA creative and cultural economy is one area identified in the Diversify WA economic development framework – to attract national and global professionals to WA.
“The new external art commission will create a contemporary, striking visual piece for all Western Australians to enjoy.”
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
“This new artist commission is part of our Government’s commitment to better activate the Perth Cultural Centre, making the precinct a more attractive place for both local visitors and cultural tourists.
“Fantastic, engaging and interesting public art helps make great cities – as demonstrated in major cities around the world where commissioned public art becomes a tourist attraction. This commission has real potential to attract people to the Perth Cultural Centre, creating more sense of activity and life.”
