Queensland College of Art lecturer Professor Jay Youngeris curatinga major public art commission that will establish iconic gateways to the Gold Coast.
Professor Younger is lead curator for the Gateway Public Art Commission, which recently unveiled the winning design by New York-based design studio LO-TEK.
The work, HI-LIGHTS, will feature nearly 100 modified highway lights and poles that spell out the city’s name at two of its busiest entry points.
Both artworks will be located in highly visible areas, in the north along the Pacific Highway and in the south, near the airport on the Gold Coast Highway.
The northern artwork will stretch 100 metres and reach a height of 11 metres, with gold metallic paint highlighting the letters at each location.
The $2 million installation will bookend the Gold Coast for the next 50 years and is part of the Public Domain Improvement Program — a legacy project of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Professor Younger said the Gateways would provide an iconic welcome to the millions of visitors expected for the Commonwealth Games, and provide a “welcome home” for locals.
“It is a really significant project and we received submissions from around the world,” she said.
“It’s part of a real shift on the Gold Coast, which wants to show itself to the world as a forward-looking, sophisticated city, that valuesarts and culture.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Gateways project was one of many arts and culture projects underway across the city in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
“Locals and visitors will see a very different Gold Coast, a city more mature in its cultural offer, before, during and after the Games,” he said.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones MP said the project would ensure the legacy of the Games extended beyond the sporting venues.
“These signature landmarks will deliver lasting legacies from the Games. It’s about the transformation of the Gold Coast to a boutique, international city and that’s a great Games legacy in itself,” Ms Jones said.
Professor Younger completed her PhD studies on art in public spaces andhas curated significant public art projects around Queensland, including the courts precinct in Brisbane’s CBD, the Powerhouse and QPAC.
She undertook the Gateway Public Art Commission on behalf of Creative Move, who provided the curatorial consultancy for the project.
“My passion is integrating art and architecture in the public realm,” she said.
“It’s so important that we include art in the public sphere — it should challenge people’s perception of art, activate publicspaces, celebrate freedom of expression.”
QCA fine arts and design lecturer Mr Daniel Della-Bosca was also on the selection panel for the Gateway Public Art Commission.
