Brisbane-based Urban Art Projects (UAP) has been commissioned to deliver a permanent tribute to the Australian Women’s National Football Team, the Matildas, at Suncorp Stadium
A permanent tribute to the Matildas’ outstanding performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australian and New Zealand™ is a step closer.
Brisbane-based Urban Art Projects (UAP) has been commissioned to deliver the tribute to be placed at Suncorp Stadium.
Unlike other statues of individuals at the stadium, the Matildas will be featured in a high-quality cast Bronze Bas Relief, measuring approximately 6 metres wide and 2.5 metres high.
During the tournament, the Matildas were based in Brisbane and played three times at Suncorp Stadium, including their inspiring quarter-final defeat of France on 12 August 2023.
On 20 August 2023, the Queensland Government committed to installing a permanent tribute to the Matildas’ team that capture the hearts of the nation during the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
The tribute is expected to be completed and installed before the end of 2024.
Established in Brisbane 1993, UAP has grown to become a global leader in curating, designing, and manufacturing public art with commissioned works in China, the Middle East, North America, New Zealand and throughout Australia.
Quotes attributable to Sport Minister Michael Healy:
“It is fitting the Matildas are celebrated with a permanent tribute, and it’s also fitting that it’s located at Suncorp Stadium,” Minister Healy said.
“Queenslanders rode the unbelievable high of the quarter-final penalty shootout win over France, lifting the roof off the best football stadium in the country.
“Around Australia, we were united behind this fantastic team. They made us all incredibly proud.
“The tribute may be a snapshot of a moment in 2023, but that moment will now live forever and inspire future generations of young footballers to take on the world.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
“The Matildas brought the country together through their performances and had a profound impact on our sporting landscape,” Ms Fentiman said.
“In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most watched event in Australian television history.
“They are inspiring women and girls to become more active and get involved in organised sport and it is fantastic that their efforts will be recognised with a permanent tribute.
“I can’t wait to see it in place later this year.”
Quotes attributable to UAP Associate Paul Gurney:
“As a fiercely proud Brisbane company established in 1993, we are honoured to be selected to deliver this legacy of the Matildas’ inspiring Women’s World Cup campaign,” he said.
“UAP acknowledges the significant global recognition Brisbane and Queensland received during the Women’s World Cup. As a successful global company, established in Brisbane, UAP shares this passion to celebrate our city and State with the rest of the world.
“The team at UAP will draw on more than 30 years’ experience to create a high quality, large scale, Cast Bronze Bas Relief capturing an iconic moment of celebration from the tournament. UAP will employ both robotic and hand-crafted techniques to achieve the players’ likenesses in bronze.
“The bronze casting will be produced entirely at our Brisbane workshop and draw on the diverse expertise of our artisan hand-crafted project management, digital design, patternmaking, advanced robotics, foundry and finishing”.
