Kingston Primary School awarded Best Public Space

The Kingston Primary School community is celebrating after receiving the title of Tasmania’s best public space for 2011. The Public Domain Awards, hosted every two years by industry association Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA), recognise the innovative and functional use of concrete to enhance public spaces.

The Tasmanian Government Art Site Scheme commissioned artist Peter Battaglene to design the distinctive, award-winning artwork that was sandblasted onto the concrete surface of a courtyard as part of the school’s recent redevelopment. The winning design features a rippled expression of drifting sand above a rhythmic pattern of oversized cowrie shells, resting as though exposed by the low tide.

Describing the artwork, the judging panel commented: 'This refreshing project demonstrates how creative thinking can drive the transformation of an existing everyday space into a place of real local value and meaning…the innovation lies in the willingness to retain and adapt expansive areas of existing pavement, using strong place-based textures and patterns to achieve the transformation.'

Winning artist and creator, Peter Battaglene of Watermark Design, advocates inclusive designs when creating artworks in public places.

“The really nice thing is seeing the evidence of the kids interacting with my work. When we go back to check the project we always notice bits where the kids have used chalk to have their own input.”

School Principal, Henry Kuryl, believes the success of the project stems from its ability to emphasise the coastal nature of the school.

“The design was able to take into account our environment; that’s what I think set it apart from the other Tasmanian nominations.” Principal Kuryl believes that more schools should seek to include functional artworks as part of the built educational environment.

“The project provides a great play area for the students who are always skipping and hopping between the shells. I believe it is really important when funding a new project that a significant part of that goes into aesthetics.”

Story: Conor Canning
Photograph: Courtesy of the artist
 

Click here to find out more about the Tasmanian Government Art Site Scheme.