Creative Public Spaces – Delivering Public Art With Precision And Purpose

There is a requirement, in many urban jurisdictions across Australia, for developers to spend a percentage of their budgets on public art. Considering the many benefits of this work – and its capacity to work as both a placemaking strategy and a way to increase the liveability of our cities – regulations of this type are to be applauded.

That said, public art projects should be approached with caution. It is important that the various stakeholders involved see the requirement as the opportunity it is. It is important that, rather than presenting as an afterthought, the finished work fits seamlessly and organically into the broader architectural scheme.

In this session of CPD Live, we examine the emergence of public art as an integral part of master planning and precinct development. Our speakers will identify relevant public art regulations, policies and strategies, and note the various challenges associated with bringing projects of this type to fruition.

Explaining key concepts like ‘Designing with Country’, they will highlight the importance of effective collaboration in work of this type, note the key role that industrial design plays in this context, and examine what it takes to incorporate the ideas of artists, both Indigenous and non-indigenous, into our cherished public spaces.

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this session, you should be able to:

•   Explain public art’s capacity to build liveability, reflect a community’s identity, and establish a connection to place
•   Outline the various challenges associated with producing public art
•   Outline the best ways to navigate these challenges and successfully complete projects that feature public art
•   Explain what is meant by the term ‘Designing with Country’ and outline the processes involved in incorporating Indigenous artworks into broader architectural projects

 (PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC 18, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC 25, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC 27) 

Speakers 

Elizabeth Lewis – Division Manager Public Art, Tilt Industrial Design 

Overseeing the public art division, Elizabeth plays an instrumental role in developing Tilt’s public art portfolio. She collaborates with art practitioners and architects to tailor mediums and methodologies to suit the artist’s practice and the client brief. As an expert in design research, Elizabeth facilitates early collaboration with the project team to ensure the client brief, objectives and project deliverables are met with precision and care.

Amanda Jelicich-Kane – Managing Director, Cultural Capital

As Managing Director, Amanda plays an important role in setting the company’s strategic vision and ensuring that the team produces exemplary work. Her guidance is critical to the success of the company’s projects, which involve collaborating with multiple stakeholders to plan, curate, and deliver large art and cultural projects for major government and commercial clients.   

Alison Page – Artist, Zakpage

Alison Page is a descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin people. Her career began in the late 1990s working in architecture and interior design, then expanding into urban design, sculpture, and film. In 2015, she was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame and, in 2022, was the Interior Design Excellence Awards gold medal winner.  

Alison co-founded ZAKPAGE with artist and film-maker Nik Lachajczak working across film, sculpture, and design to tell stories connected to place.  Alison co-creates with indigenous communities, organisations and cultural practitioners, to bring the power of storytelling to public spaces primarily to awaken the memory of Country. Her work explores traditional pieces of knowledge, ceremony, truth-telling, and its impact on the Australian identity.