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University art and sculpture collection
Since its inception, the University of the Sunshine Coast has worked to develop an art collection focusing on contemporary Australian art with an emphasis on Queensland artists. Many of these works can be viewed throughout the University campus.
The University's art holdings represent the most significant public art collection in the region. The collection contains works by:
- Lawrence Daws
- Franki Birrell
- Alexandra Alderson
- Norma Uhlmann
- Scott Redford
- Robyn Stacey
- Katarina Vesterberg
- Judy Watson
- Elizabeth Duguid
- Andrew Dixon
- David Parker
- Charlie Chambers
- Joanne Currie Nalingu
- Rex Backhaus-Smith
- HEW Chee Fong
- Adam Cullen
Limited edition prints of John Coburn's 'Sunshine Coast' are available for purchase.
New media
A focus on new media in Art and Design studies is reflected in works such as Judith Kentish's gridded digital image 'The Arts of Defence: Protective Paralysis' (1997). Generous support by the Proost-DeDeyne family has also enabled the annual acquisition of outstanding digital works by USC design students and graduates.
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Western and Central Desert Art
An important collection of Western and Central Desert art has been established at the University largely from donations by Yanda Aboriginal Art. Enhanced by interpretive and educational materials, the group of works is one of the highlights of the USC art collection.
The Western and Central Desert Art collection includes works by:
- Ronnie Tjampitjinpa
- Ningurra Napurrula
- George Tjungurrayi
- Naata Nungurrayi
- Gloria Petyarre
- Ada Bird Petyarre
Many of these works can be viewed in the lower level of the Library or the foyer of the Accelerator at the Innovation Centre.
The Western Desert Art education resource (PDF 628KB) * was developed as an educational asset to compliment the information provided on the text panels accompanying the works.
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Sculptures
The University art collection includes sculptures in public spaces on the campus.
Pulse
Constructed by Melbourne artist Konstantin Dimopoulos, Pulse is located in the Art Gallery courtyard.
Standing 7 metres high, the piece is constructed of resin rods mounted in a stainless steel and concrete base. Although rigid, the length of the rods allows the work to move elegantly in the wind.
Pulse is lit from the base at night and the rods absorb the light (taking 5–8 minutes to warm up) creating a different dynamic in day and night.
The artist took his inspiration from the Sunshine Coast's cane fields, with the colour chosen reminiscent of burning cane.
The University received a generous donation from the Lee Graff Foundation in San Diego, California to commission the sculpture.
It was dedicated by Mr Doug Hall AO, former Director of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane in April 2007.
obelisk
Created by Sydney artist Leonard Sabol, obelisk is an egg-shaped stainless steel work, located on the grassy area outside Student Central (Building C).
The work was purchased from the 2008 Sculpture-by-the-Sea exhibition held at Bondi, Sydney and donated to USC by the Lee Graff Foundation, the same group that donated Pulse.
It is constructed of Japanese stainless steel and it stands on a stainless steel footing that is buried underground. The sculpture is 180cm tall by 120cm wide and 80 cm deep.
Trained in blacksmithing and metal fabrication in his home country of Slovakia before immigrating to Australia in 2002, Sabol uses traditional technique to create contemporary architectural works.
His understanding of the distinctive character and hidden possibilities of metals enables him to shape and manufacture new and original alternatives.
obelisk is meant to look as if it has fallen from the sky—as part of the moon or an alien egg. It was formed as one piece and then sliced and re-welded to create the craters and texture on its surface.
High Order
Leading Queensland artist and Maleny resident Craig Medson created stone and bronze work High Order, which stands near the Brasserie Courtyard (between buildings D and I).
Like all of Medson's sculptures, the concept for High Order is derived from the elements in nature: fire, air, water and earth.
He uses recurring forms such as the circle, tear-drop and sphere to symbolise abstract ideas such as eternity and the passage of time.
The viewer is encouraged to spin the pieces around to create different forms. Medson always tries to achieve harmony and symmetry in his work and this work is a fine example.
Medson and his partner Fiona McCarron have been major supporters of the University of the Sunshine Coast and have donated their time and artwork for projects at the University.
Front entrance sculpture
Artist Elizabeth Poole designed and installed the front entrance sculpture, which was unveiled in 1999.
It is an homage to the Australian bush, learning and youth, with the different materials reflecting the old land and new ideas.
The poles imitate trees of knowledge, while the two vertical sheets are pieces of paper, scattered in the wind.
The sculpture is designed to encourage interaction. People can walk between the sections, with the ground 'leaf' piece inviting people to rest, contemplate and dream.