Brisbane’s reputation as a world class cultural destination has been illuminated with the glittering unveiling of Northern Rivers artist Lindy Lee’s masterpiece, ‘Being Swallowed by the Milky Way’, ahead of the first phase of The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf staged opening from August 29, 2024.
The stunning 8-metre, 8,000-kilogram oblong sculpture features 25 thousand tiny holes puncturing the bronze surface to appear as a shimmering, light-filled galaxy of silver and gold stars.
It will be located at the George Street entrance to The Star Brisbane, as part of the transformational $3.6b+ Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
Creating a legacy
The Coorabell-based painter and sculptor of Chinese heritage, Lindy Lee AO, was on hand to light up her sculpture for the first time and said it was a joy to create a legacy for her birthplace as part of such a game changing development for the city.
‘In my early childhood, growing up in Kangaroo Point and Morningside, I was fascinated by the magic of starlight. I loved looking at the night sky, to be deeply immersed in the mystery of that and somehow that feeling imbues all my work,’ said Ms Lee.
‘It’s so fitting that Being Swallowed by the Milky Way is being installed in my birth city; emotionally and spiritually that is very important to me. I feel extremely proud to be part of Brisbane’s growth as a city,’ she said.
‘The Brisbane I grew up in during the 60s and 70s was insular, but now it is a city that embraces its own unique history and celebrates its growing cosmopolitanism and rich diversity.’
The unveiling of ‘Being Swallowed by the Milky Way’ comes just months after Lindy made headlines with the transport of her $14 million commission ‘Ouroboros’ for the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), which required an almost week-long journey from Brisbane to Canberra involving road closures and police escorts. It is set to go on display to the public in October at the National Gallery of Australia.
‘Being Swallowed by the Milky Way is a sculpture I’ve had in my mind for over a decade, even before Ouroboros for the NGA,’ Ms Lee said. ‘It’s quite wonderful that these two very major works are going to be unveiled within months of each other.
‘I am now 70. It feels like these works are a culmination of a lifetime’s experience and so they become part of the cultural legacy I am leaving for Australia.’
Major and exquisite sculpture
Highly regarded art figure Philip Bacon AO led the specialist Artistic Advisory panel which curated the standout collection of artworks by local, First Nations and International artists, that will feature across the 7.5 hectares of public space within the Queen’s Wharf precinct, including waterfront areas by the Brisbane River.
‘Lindy Lee is arguably Australia’s greatest sculptor and her work is known and sought after, both nationally and internationally,’ said Mr Bacon.
‘To have such a major and exquisite sculpture in a prominent place, viewable day and night by the public is a coup for any city. We are fortunate that it’s here in Brisbane.
‘Lindy’s magnum opus Ouroboros is Australia’s most expensive commissioned artwork and will change people’s perception of both the National Gallery of Australia and the art of sculpture,’ he said.
‘In the same way, The Star’s commission of Being Swallowed by the Milky Way will change how the people of Brisbane view public art in our cityscape. It is in another realm by way of scale, beauty and technique.’
Daniel Finch, Chief Executive Officer of The Star Brisbane said the sculpture by Lindy Lee as part of the multi-million-dollar collection of public artworks will help elevate the city’s standing as cultural city.
‘We are thrilled to be unveiling the Lindy Lee masterpiece as we count down to the staged opening of The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf,’ said Mr Finch. ‘It will be a must-visit attraction in its own right. All of the artworks will be showcased to millions of people, who will visit us for years to come, including for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
‘It will complement the South Bank precinct a short walk across the Neville Bonner Bridge helping further position Brisbane, not just as an Olympic city, but as a vibrant cultural playground.’
‘Being Swallowed by the Milky Way’ was made at Urban Art Projects (UAP) based in Brisbane.
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