Department of Education - Como Secondary College for Art - Artwork

⁠⁠⁠Scope:

Como Secondary College Redevelopment Project will involve the creation of a new Sports Hall with Fitness Centre and the redevelopment and repurposing of the existing gymnasium as a Performing Arts Centre and Dance Studio. It caters for students from year 7 to Year 12.

It has been included in the Western Australian Government’s Percent for Art Scheme in which, a percentage of the construction costs are allocated for the commissioning of site-specific artworks. 

The primary opportunity is for an exterior artwork in the courtyard between the Sports Hall and the Gymnasium. Resonances of the primary artwork may also be considered with a secondary opportunity in the area facing the oval. Some functional elements and interface with the landscaping may also be considered. (Locations have been chosen to maximise exposure of artworks with the students). 

Artworks should be imaginative, abstract, engaging and original: 

• Take account of the aesthetic, contemporary and minimalist style of the architecture. 

• Reflect a ‘connection to place’ in materiality, form, colour, metaphor or imagery.

• Be durable, robust, and low maintenance.

THEME 

Given these considerations artworks may draw for their inspiration on: 

• The cathedral like qualities and ribbon of green of the long-established pine forest and its canopy nearby, which is an environmental touchstone highly valued by the school community and by those living or born in Como. 

• Equally valued is the symbiotic relationship between the cockatoos and the pine forest, as a contemporary habitat and vital food source for this endangered bird population. It has therefore, both heritage and biological significance as natural vegetation in Western Australia diminishes. 

• The botany and geometry of the Pine, its canopy, pinecones, seeds and visual impact in the local Como landscape. 

• The intrinsic qualities of shelter, light- play and shade as basic natural elements of the pine forest might also be a source of interest and ideas.

*Artists wishing to reference Indigenous cultural connections in artworks should indicate intended consultation and/ or collaboration.

The artist/ artist team will be selected on their ability to develop and implement designs for artwork(s) in a range of media and approaches. The Selection Panel reserves the right to proceed only, with those concepts which receive their approval. Artists should note that there are special challenges in designing artworks for public and school community environments. Careful consideration of safety issues is required. Sharp edges need to be avoided, and materials need to be robust, with graffiti resistant surfaces or similar treatments to vulnerable surfaces. Artworks should be low maintenance.

Contacts

Contractual

Person: Jenny Beahan

Position: Art Coordinator

Mobile: 0408921671

Email: jennyaab@bigpond.com