Local artist shines light on public artworks in Noosa Junction

A public artwork titled ‘Passage’ will be installed in Lanyana Arcade, Noosa Junction as part of Stage Two of the Noosa Junction Placemaking Streetscape Project that commences in early 2013.

The original artwork has been created by local Sunshine Coast artist Kim Guthrie and will be put on public display from December 1. The artwork depicts a pixelated photographic image of native flora from Pinaroo Park and is six metres long by three metres wide and mounted on aluminium panels. mounted on two aluminium panels.

As well as observing the passage of the many locals and visitors that will pass it each day, the artwork will also observe the passage of spring each year. A shape within the artwork will be illuminated by the sun at exactly midday of each Spring Equinox. The Spring Equinox is one of two times each year (the other being the Autumn Equinox) when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is almost equal.

Division 11 Councillor, Russell Green said the artwork was the first of many public artworks to be realised in Noosa Junction as part of the Stage Two Streetscape works and a great example of council’s public art policy in action.

"Following a process of detailed community and local business engagement, the Noosa Junction Placemaking Masterplan was unanimously endorsed by council in September 2010," he said.

"As part of that process the community told us about their many aspirations for the precinct, two of which included the installation of public artwork and a ‘greener’ Junction by way of landscaping elements and plantings.

"I’m happy to say that Kim’s work combines both of these elements and is the first of many amazing artworks created by local artists that we have planned as part of the streetscape works to take place in eight key zones in the Junction from April to December next year (2013).

"With so many talented artists in our region, works such as this not only enhance public space but continue to develop a sustainable and strong creative industry by providing work for local artists."

Artist Kim Guthrie said the inspiration behind the artwork was its location and function.

"My aim is to make the walk through Lanyana Arcade a subtle, calming experience via spatial illusion, opening up what might otherwise be considered a narrow, claustrophobic space," he said.

"The use of natural light along with the applied landscape image and the introduction of a sky-blue background, subliminally suggests an infinite space.

"The parallelogram shape that will be illuminated each Spring Equinox is a reminder of growth, renewal and the cyclic nature of things and their perennial passage.

"The original photograph of rehabilitated endemic flora found in Pinaroo Park links the work visually, conceptually and holistically to the Junction."

Cr Green said ‘Passage’ will contribute to the Noosa Junction Placemaking Streetscape Project’s overall intent to ‘develop the character of the precinct to reveal the potential of its unique local qualities and define Noosa Junction as a destination of choice’.

ABOUT KIM GUTHRIE:

Kim Guthrie is originally from Melbourne in Victoria, he studied Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He has lived and worked on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for the past 26 years with his partner the renowned painter Lisa Adams. He is a multi skilled artist whose practice involves painting, sculpture and photography. He enjoys the collaborative nature of the public art process.