Roadside sculpture a stunning reflection of environment

A landmark artwork at the new Cambridge premises of Hydro Tasmania Consulting has launched the state's Corporate Art Scheme into the international sphere.

The stunning SCAPE installation marks the first global collaboration for the scheme with two artists designing the project on-line from their bases in Hobart and Glasgow.

Hobart's John Vella and Glasgow-based Stephen Hurrel developed SCAPE over months of internet discussions and design exchanges.

Their combined talent and like-minded approach has resulted in an evocative and inspiring work that not only engages Tasman Highway commuters but pedestrians in Cambridge Park.

Unveiled today by Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts Minister Michelle O'Byrne, it communicates a sensitive relationship to the landscape and is a wonderful example of how public art can enrich and empower all levels of public life.

The project required professionalism and attention to detail to develop SCAPE from an internet conversation to a remarkable and distinctive installation in a high-profile location for a high-profile organisation.

John and Stephen, who met in Tasmania 10 years ago, said they had thousands of email "conversations" using the internet tool "Skype".

"The brief was challenging and we had to work on many different levels," Stephen said.

"Our audience included commuters on the highway and people using the Hydro building so our design needed to be ornamental but in tune with the environment."

John, who is head of sculpture at the Tasmanian School of Art, said the piece is about flow and understanding landscape through abstraction.

"We made a lot of changes along the way but now it fells like the piece was meant to be there," he said.

The Corporate Art Scheme is coordinated by arts@work, the business arm of Arts Tasmania, and offers a comprehensive range of consultancy services to the private sector, local government and community agencies.

It also extends and challenges Tasmanian artists by giving them the opportunity of collaborating with national and international artists on private commissions.

SCAPE was commissioned by Hydro Tasmania Consulting through funding provided by Prudentia Investments and Harvey Norman Ltd.

Hydro Tasmanian Chief Executive Officer Vince Hawksworth said his organisation appreciated the expertise of arts@work to guide the development of the project brief and the selection process.

"We were looking for an artwork that would reflect Hydro Tasmania's renewable energy brand and could represent the natural elements of water and wind that are a source of sustainable energy," he said.

"Hydro Tasmanian Consulting has a reputation for excellence in designing and developing renewable energy projects around the world and this artwork is a reflectin of this reputation."

[ IMAGE: Scottish artist Stephen Hurrel oversees the installation of SCAPE - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: International design team of SCAPE Hobart's John Vella (left) and Glasgow's Stephen Hurrel - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Hydro CEO Vince Hawksworth and the artists assist Environment, Parks , Heritage and the Arts Minister Michelle O'Byrne to unveil the SCAPE plaque - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: arts@work project officer Mish Meijers admires SCAPE - click to view ]