In 2015 the Mayor of Albury, Kevin Mack unveiled a new sculpture in Atkins Street, near the railway station, on the approach to central Albury.
The work is a representation of the Crimson Spider Orchid, an endangered species found only in tiny, protected (and secret) populations around Albury, Chiltern and Dederang.
The Atkins Street sculpture is titled “Grow”*. It was commissioned from Warren Langley, a Sydney-based artist who works in many materials, but who is best known for large scale works using glass and light.
The sculpture sits at one of the city’s important entry points.
“It will be a strong identifier for our city and a marker for people that they have arrived in a place that has a vibrant cultural scene.” Albury City Mayor, Cr Kevin Mack
Warren Langley intends that “Grow” delivers on an intellectual level as well as a sensory one. It represents our endangered orchid but could also suggest “the growth and regeneration of the city itself” (Artist’s Statement).
“The work’s overall sculptural form is a symbol of an aspirational community, standing collectively together in a positive, connected and upright manner.” (Artist’s Statement)
Langley has designed and constructed work for many regional councils and art galleries around Australia. He has installed work in many international sites including the Australian Pavilion at the 2011 Shanghai World Expo and Hong Kong airport. In Canberra his work can be seen at the Australian Service Nurses War Memorial and Parliament House.
*The name ‘Grow’ is confirmed by Warren Langley in a private email. The council’s media release and Warren’s own Artist’s Statement sometimes incorrectly name it as “Growth” which is the name of another of Langley’s works of public art.
References and further reading
Albury City Council Media Release (2015), “Spectacular gateway artwork unveiled” http://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/news/2015/spectacular-gateway-artwork-unveiled
Bunn, Anthony (2015), “Albury sculpture set to welcome visitors”. http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2908568/albury-sculpture-set-to-welcome-visitors/
Johnston, David (2015), “Albury mayor: ‘No comparison on sculptures’”. http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2911292/albury-mayor-no-comparison-on-sculptures/
Langley, Warren (2014), “Artist’s Statement”. From private email.
http://www.warrenlangley.com.au/
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