Khaled Sabsabi

Khaled Sabsabi is a Lebanese-Australian artist whose work spans over 65 major mixed-media and installation projects exhibited worldwide. Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, and migrating to Western Sydney in 1976, Sabsabi's art delves into themes of identity, community, and spirituality. 

'In Time We Shall' consists of seven large copper and steel sculptures, each measuring 3 meters in diameter, mounted on the station's eastern wall, and four bronze column bands, each 6.2 x 0.2 meters, encircling the station's concourse columns. The sculptures represent trees indigenous to the Barangaroo Reserve, such as the Forest Red Gum and Spotted Gum, offering a sense of these trees floating above the ground. The bronze bands on the columns, created with input from the local Aboriginal community, feature intricate depictions of native trees like the Port Jackson Fig and Cabbage Tree Palm, with their traditional names engraved in Indigenous languages.

This artwork celebrates the Indigenous peoples of the Sydney Basin and the deep cultural and spiritual significance of trees in their lives. By connecting contemporary urban environments with these ancient natural symbols, Sabsabi emphasizes the importance of the natural world in nurturing culture, identity, and community. The material choices of copper and bronze pay homage to Australia's maritime heritage and the timelessness of these materials in artistic traditions, symbolizing a continuity between past and present.

The creation of 'In Time We Shall' was a collaborative effort between Sabsabi and UAP. Our Shanghai and Brisbane teams meticulously performed the panel beating, welding, and installation. The tree canopies were crafted using mild steel and copper, while the text-inscribed column bands were fabricated from flat bronze. The intricate reliefs on the bronze bands combined machine-pressed techniques with hand-shaping, underscoring the blend of traditional and modern craftsmanship. This large-scale installation not only enhances the aesthetic of the Barangaroo Station but also deepens visitors' connection to the site, drawing on cultural and historical elements that make the experience meaningful.