A new permanent public artwork for North Bondi

1 October 2020

Waverley Council is calling on artists to register their interest in developing a concept for a new permanent artwork at the North Bondi kid’s pool.

Registrations of interest are open to all artists, architects, landscape architects, designers, craft persons and community groups interested in creating a site-specific artwork.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the project will provide a significant opportunity for the arts community to showcase their talents in an iconic location.

“We are pleased to provide this exciting opportunity to support artists during the wake of COVID-19 and demonstrate the importance of art to the community” Mayor Masselos said.

“The creative arts community has taken a massive hit during this pandemic as well as funding cuts to the industry, so this is a significant opportunity.”

Council spent 18 months looking at ways to recommission the community mosaic that local artists and community members, including students from Bondi Beach Public School, created in the 1980s for the wall along the pool.

The mosaic was removed in 2019 as part of urgent asset renewal works to replace the stormwater culvert and promenade at North Bondi due to concrete cancer. Due to the cost and difficulty involved in delivering the recommission, Council decided at its 21 July Council meeting it would instead call for registrations of interest for a new artwork to be installed in the space.

“Whilst we are disappointed the mosaic could not be retained, it will live on for generations in Council’s Local Studies Collection,” Mayor Masselos said.

“We worked with local artists and archival specialists to document and save the most significant parts of the mosaic before it was removed and we are currently storing 112 pieces, which will either be retained in the local history section of Waverley Library or returned to their makers.

“I know the mosaic has been an important part of North Bondi for more than 30 years, and I thank all the artists and locals involved in its installation. We know the mosaic will always have a special place in the history of our community.”

Artists registering their interest for the new artwork are asked to submit around 10 quality images of previous public artworks alongside concept design statements and other information. An internal Project Control Group, working alongside the Waverley Public Art Committee, will then review submissions against a set framework and shortlist a maximum of six proponents to proceed to the detailed design stage.

Detailed Design works will then go to community consultation for feedback and input. Waverley Council will award the commission, taking account of guidance from the Waverley Public Art Committee, with strong consideration given to the feedback provided by the community.

Registrations open later today at https://portal.tenderlink.com/waverley/ and close 25 October 2020.