Peet Limited on Public Art
10/04/2007Peet currently acts as project manager and marketer for more than 67 property estates in Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Each estate is master-planned using aesthetically-pleasing design, streetscaping and landscaping of the public open spaces (often including the use of public art).
While each piece of public art is absolutely unique, Peet takes a consistent approach to all its projects. An important part of Peet's approach to establishing a new residential estate is to give it a unique identity that ties in with natural features and local landmarks.
Peet Limited Managing Director Warwick Hemsley said public art has a special role at a number of Peet's estates.
"When we undertake these projects, we are looking for public art that connects with the natural environment, tells a story and is in character with the estate itself," he said
"It is a great way to support local artists and provides a tangible contribution to the community's social fabric," said Mr Hemsley.
At Peet's Burns Beach Estate five local artists have been shortlisted for a public art project which will deliver a number of pieces that provide an interpretation of the coastal environment and lifestyle.
"The selection process is very important to us – these works will become a lasting legacy for the community," said Mr Hemsley.
"The shortlisted artists have visited Burns Beach and are now preparing models and presentations of their ideas, so we're looking forward to seeing and hearing about those in the near future" he said.
The strong role that public artworks can have in reinforcing the identity of many new urban settings is also illustrated at Lakelands where an eye-catching steel sculpture piece evokes swans in flight at the entry.
"Here we wanted to bring forward imagery of the lakes and waterbirds that are highly valued components of the estate's environment," Mr Hemsley said.
This has been achieved by creation of an abstract waterfall of polished ribbons of steel surmounted by a group of sculpted swans.
Peet Limited commissioned well-known Perth artists, Jon Tarry and Lorenna Grant who sculpted the three graceful and eye-catching swans using stainless steel mesh.
The finished work is a durable and "waterwise" estate entry incorporating works of art that are enjoyed by the passing public as well as residents of the estate.
They appear almost transparent, and when the sun shines on them their 'feathers' glisten. The sculpture takes on different moods, depending on the weather, from almost a grey sheen in sultry conditions to shimmering jewels in the sunlight.
The swans were chosen as a tribute to the origins of this expansive area. Perth was once a series of wetlands, bursting with a myriad of wildlife, and this sculpture is really a reminder of our willingness to leave spaces for some of the land's original aquatic inhabitants.
According to Mr Hemsley, the birdlife throughout the Estate is abundant.
"The birdlife and natural surroundings in general have been a major drawcard for this award-winning estate," he said.
