VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

This paper examines how contemporary artists and architects engage with context and heritage. It specifically references a work of public art in the heart of Sydney’s CBD that has recently been reimagined in response to contemporary cultural sensitivities. Created in 1963 for the new Australian headquarters of the Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd (P&O), the ceramic wall mural was one of three works artworks commissioned for the building 61 years ago. The seven-metre mural included relief sculptures illustrating the global continents served by P&O. The figurative sculptures invoked cultural stereotypes that were prevalent in mid-century Australia but are culturally problematic today. In 2017 the P&O building was demolished to make way for the city’s largest new Metro station. The heritage works were salvaged for reinstallation in the new station precinct, a commitment from the developer that was endorsed by the state government. Working collaboratively with the artist’s estate, the project architects, curatorial and academic advisors, the work was reimagined for a contemporary world, resulting in a cross-generational dialogue that provides meaningful context in today’s society. This paper discusses how the different cultural contexts in which the work was originally conceived and into which it is now being launched were navigated, and the multi-faceted process of consultation and reimagining.