World renowned artists unveiled for iconic Subiaco chimney stack

  • Internationally renowned artist MOMO and Perth-born Abdul Abdullah to collaborate on former Princess Margaret Hospital chimney stack project
  • Stack artwork named ‘Here Together’ to celebrate connection and community
  • Artwork to feature a vibrant mural and sculptural lighting elements

An iconic landmark is set for a major makeover, with artists announced for the public art commission on the chimney stack at the newly named 1909 precinct at Subi East, located on the former Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) site.

Selected from a global call out process, the artwork coined ‘Here Together’ will be a collaboration between world famous MOMO (USA) and Perth-born artist Abdul Abdullah, with the installation to be managed by Creative Road Art Projects.

‘Here Together’ will deliver an artwork which transcends joy by connecting everyone who visits to foster a sense of community, health and wellbeing. The artwork will wrap around the 53-metre-tall chimney stack and feature a vibrant mural and sculptural lighting elements.

An experimental artist from San Francisco, MOMO has developed a visual language over three decades, using innovative free-range painting techniques, practical geometry and computer coding to craft his works.

Perth-born Abdul Abdullah is a multi-disciplinary artist, renowned as a five-time Archibald Prize finalist and five-time Sulman Prize finalist – the most prestigious art prizes in Australia.

As part of the artwork commissioning process, a number of community engagement activities will be delivered by the artists and work is expected to commence in late 2023.

As stated by Lands Minister John Carey:

“Recently re-named 1909, the precinct has been designed to ensure the history and heritage of PMH is celebrated, with the revitalisation of the stack the first step.

“The stack artwork will act as the centrepiece of the 1909 development, with the project set to transform the former children’s hospital into a vibrant inner-city village in a major boost to infill and overall housing supply in the inner-city.

“It’s brilliant to see the chimney stack artwork harness local and international talent to transform the landmark into a striking display of public art.

“1909 is set to deliver a connected residential inner-city community, with the stack to ensure the history of PMH is preserved, celebrated and carried on for generations.”

As stated by Nedlands MLA Dr Katrina Stratton:

“The 1909 name recognises the former Princess Margaret Hospital site’s history and significance to Western Australians when it was opened 114 years ago.

“As a former social worker at the hospital, this recognition is very meaningful and it’s exciting the chimney stack will undergo a major transformation through public art to continue the site’s sense of local community, health and vibrancy.”

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