Artists Suzie Bleach and Andy Townsend have been chosen to create a sculpture for the Hughes Shops in the Woden Valley to replace the original sculpture that was stolen in 2016.
Announcing the assignments, Minister for the Arts, Gordon Ramsay said when the much-loved bronze sculpture, Stepping Out (pictured) by Giovanna Ianniello and Gerard Murphy, originally installed at Hughes shops in 1997, was stolen in 2016, the local community was devastated.
“Many people said it was like losing a loved one, she was such a part of the community,” Mr Ramsay said.
“Stepping Out was unable to be recast as the moulds no longer exist, so a community consultation with Hughes residents was undertaken in August and September 2017 to identify what locals felt would be a suitable replacement.”
He said the design by Ms Bleach and Mr Townsend met the Hughes community’s wish for an artwork that was nostalgic, imaginative and playful.
“Hughes residents also have a strong sense of connection to their natural surroundings which is also represented in the artwork — a single bronze female figure, cradling a large bird,” Mr Ramsay said.
“Bleach and Townsend are highly regarded nationally and have strong connections to Canberra. Most recently, they exhibited artworks locally at Floriade in 2017 and at the Contour 556 sculpture exhibition in 2016.”
He said a number of their works were also in the ACT Government public art collection including La Perouse located at the Red Hill Shops.
“The new artwork will be developed over the coming months and is expected to be installed in early 2019,” the Minister said.
“It will feature reinforced footings and fixings to mitigate against theft,” he said.
