Richard Sweeney

Richard Sweeney is an artist renowned for his pioneering work that blurs the boundaries between art and design. His expertise lies in the realm of material exploration, with a particular fascination for paper. He employs intricate folding techniques to fashion forms that defy gravity yet retain a delicate lightness. His inspiration stems from the organic shapes and patterns found in nature—shells, birds, waves, and leaves—which he transforms into large-scale sculptures that embody both abstraction and elegance. Sweeney's ability to translate these natural forms into monumental works has garnered him global recognition.

Our curatorial team developed a comprehensive public art strategy for AURA to enhance the urban landscape through meaningful, engaging art. Our Sydney team led this initiative with the goal of creating a focal point that would serve not only as a landmark but also as a gathering space for the community. The art was designed to greet future residents, visitors, and patrons of the local cafés, restaurants, and wine bars, contributing to the vibrancy and identity of North Sydney.

The curatorial concept behind the public art strategy, titled Traces, emphasizes the integration of natural, geographical, and historical elements into the contemporary urban fabric. The idea was to allow traces of North Sydney's rich natural and cultural history to permeate the new urban landscape, creating an ongoing dialogue between past and present. With this vision in mind, Richard Sweeney was commissioned to create a sculpture embodying these themes and anchoring the space.

Sweeney's resulting work, Landscape, is a cast bronze sculpture over four meters tall that draws inspiration from North Sydney's sandstone formations and waterfront. Staying true to his practice, Sweeney created a piece that balances complexity with lightness. Landscape features strategic layering and subtle gaps that shift its appearance depending on the viewer's angle. From one perspective, the sculpture appears as a solid, monumental form, while from another, it exudes a sense of fluidity and movement. The surface of the sculpture features a delicate striped texture that mirrors the natural weathering of sandstone, reinforcing its connection to the environment.

The collaborative process between Sweeney and our teams in Sydney and Brisbane was pivotal in bringing Landscape to life. Our Brisbane team, which spearheaded the manufacturing, worked closely with the artist to explore various fabrication techniques. The sculpture was cast in bronze with a custom dual-tone finish, incorporating patinas and red and yellow paints to replicate the natural tones of sandstone. A subtle pearl finish was added to enhance the contrast between the inner and outer surfaces, ensuring that the sculpture would catch the light in dynamic ways, depending on the viewer's position.

The meticulous crafting of Landscape ensured that the work retained the lightness of Sweeney's paper-based designs, while also being robust enough for permanent public display. The result is a dynamic and engaging artwork that invites the North Sydney community to explore its intricate forms, establishing a deeper connection between the urban space and the natural environment. Sweeney's Landscape stands as a testament to the artist's ability to merge art and nature, creating a lasting focal point for the Aqualand precinct.