New public art for Ashfield Aquatic Centre
Day, Date Month 2020
Inner West Council’s magnificent new aquatic centre in Ashfield, set for an October opening, now boasts a landmark new public artwork.
Council’s much-needed major redevelopment of the Ashfield Aquatic Centre is on schedule and on budget, and includes:
• A new 50m indoor pool with accessible ramp and split boom
• A new outdoor pool with floating floor that can change its depth, opening it up for a wide range of uses
• A new children’s leisure pool with landscaping and green wall
• A new two storey entry building with cafe, change areas, crèche, staff facilities and retail space
• A new 1000sqm gym on Level 2 of the entry building
• New sauna, steam and spa attached to the existing pool hall building
• A community green space and covered seating
• Landscaping areas and terraces for the external pools
• Increased parking spaces
Two main facades, which can be seen internally from the main pool area and externally from the south along the trainline, now feature artworks that are bold and contemporary statements about the story of the site, its connection and importance.
Georgia Hill is a local, internationally-renowned artist who is passionate about her local community. The art, called Ripple Through, develops her existing art practice into a new medium of powder-coated metal louvers.
“I’ve created a large abstract artwork relating to the history and environment of the area,” Georgia said. “I travel internationally working on large scale mural works and installations, however when I’m not on the road the Inner West is my home, so I was very excited to be invited to design an artwork for an area that has support my practice for years.
As part of the project, Georgia worked with Council to hold public workshops, where everyone was invited to contribute ideas.
“The workshops were focused on informal conversation about people’s memories and experiences of Ashfield and the Inner West, that were then developed in my studio to form the basis of the art.
“The workshops were open to all – I heard stories of deep memories and family connections to Ashfield and the history of the area.
“It was surprising and enlightening for both myself and the community to see how their reflections and memories were abstracted and came to inform the final artwork,” Georgia said.
For a print quality image of Georgia at the newly installed public artwork at Ashfield Aquatic Centre, contact the Communication team.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au