Nabilah Nordin

Nabilah Nordin is a Singaporean-Australian artist renowned for her bold and experimental approach to sculpture. Her practice revolves around material innovation, embracing sculptural scraps and offcuts' raw, imperfect, and unexpected qualities. Rather than sticking to traditional sculptural methods, Nordin reimagines discarded objects—door handles, old furniture, and construction remnants—transforming them into playful, abstract installations that challenge conventional expectations of form and material.

Her latest work, The Tie and the Undercoat, will be on display at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C., until 2026. The artwork captures the hidden magic of a prop department's production space, imagining how these behind-the-scenes environments come to life when humans aren't present. By assembling found objects into an abstract, loosely figurative form, Nordin tells a relatable story—the act of getting ready and going to work.

An interesting detail about the project is its composition. Nordin's original sculpture incorporated everyday materials like wood, mouldable plastic, and epoxy compound, embracing their raw textures and imperfect edges. These material choices reflect her intuitive process, allowing the artwork to evolve organically rather than through rigid planning. Supported by Art Makers, Agency Projects, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australia in the US, the project not only showcases Nordin's artistry but also reinforces Australia's commitment to contemporary art on the global stage.

To bring Nordin's vision to life at its final scale, UAP's design team at Rock Tavern worked closely to preserve her original sculpture's expressive, handmade qualities. The challenge was translating the rough, textured nature of wood, plastic, and epoxy into a durable material while maintaining the spirit of the original piece. We cast the sculpture in bronze through meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring every detail of its lively and unconventional form remained intact. Standing at an impressive 183 cm, the final piece invites viewers to engage with its dynamic presence and discover the charm of the unseen world it represents.