Iconic art work unveiled

Artist Graham Austin with his Koi G sculpture at the Gosford Regional Gallery

Gosford Council’s chief executive officer, Mr Paul Anderson, unveiled a $30,000 iconic art work at the Gosford Regional Gallery on December 10.

Created by Green Point artist, Mr Graham Austin, the 1.5 metre sculpture entitled Koi G, aims to inspire philanthropy for the arts in Gosford City.

“I’m very pleased the Gosford Foundation Trust could donate $20,000 towards the creation of this artwork and Council was able to provide the remaining funding that was needed,” Mr Anderson said. “Graham Austin’s sculpture was chosen from 14 other submissions following a rigorous selection process.

“It will now sit proudly and permanently in the gallery’s main foyer to demonstrate that each visitor donation plays an important role in the long-term sustainability and vision of one of the Central Coast’s premier cultural facilities.

“This high profile sculpture’s interactive sound and visual elements will assist visitation, provide engagement within the gallery and communicate a strong sense of place and regional identity,” he said. The sculpture features three large Koi fish – a tribute to the popular Koi pond in the gallery’s Japanese garden.

Mr Austin said he was inspired by the Koi fish bending and twisting into the hint of a letter ‘G’. “Each of the sculpture’s fish forms a ‘G’ shape to represent both Gosford and the gallery,” Mr Austin said.

“My hope is that children and adults will immediately recognise Koi G, especially given that I’m sure the humble Koi fish swimming in the Japanese garden’s pond provide a long lasting memory for all gallery visitors.”

Council set up the Gosford Foundation Trust to encourage and facilitate benevolent acts by individuals, families or organisations who wish to donate real estate, art or funds for public use.

“The Gosford Foundation Trust is designed to fund recreational, cultural, environmental and other community facilities, programs and projects that benefit the Gosford community,” Mr Anderson added.

“This new art work was an ideal public initiative for the trust to support and help raise awareness about the great role it plays in our community.”

Media release,
Dec 7, 2015
Gosford Council media