Celestial platypus brings life to Lot Fourteen
A new mural Shy Sky has been unveiled at Lot Fourteen’s Northern aspect of the Australian Space Agency headquarters in time for Illuminate Adelaide’s Base Camp. Watch the time-lapse.
What once was a bare red-brick wall, now shows a celestial platypus swimming through the night sky, representing the interconnectedness of life and space, artist Laura Wills tells CityMag.
“The artwork is an invitation to reflect on our connectedness to space,” she says.
“What it depicts is a constellation, so I did a little bit of research into constellations and the perceived patterns that they form in the sky, and how some of them also are created by negative space, like a dark cloud.”
Laura is known for her participation in the Plant Notes collective, along with her works at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide Botanic Garden, and the State Herbarium of South Australia.
She says her work is highly communicative and aims to connect the audience to their environment.
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“I really enjoy creating works that involve researching the place or the beings, plants, and animals that live there, and then sharing those stories,” Laura says.
“I like to collaborate with people and communities and create works that are participatory.
“Shy Sky is a celebration of the platypus, which used to live in Tarntanyangga…it’s a celestial platypus representing the earth’s flora and fauna existing in space, linking us to space and beyond. It’s got also a map line referencing the coastline of SA, situating us, and that leads us to the depiction of the first image a satellite ever took of space in 1959.”
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To paint the mural, Laura used mixed methods including a brush and paint spray-gun to execute the design on the building, which was assisted by her partner Will Cheesman.
“We had all these reference points on the canvas on the building with the windows, so first we had to block off all the windows, and we had to do it with a sealant, because it’s a heritage building, do the undercoat, and then get started with the design,” Laura says.
The mural joins other local artworks at Lot Fourteen, including One: All That We Can See by Sundari Carmody, and Beware Swooping Birds by Amok Island, as part of the innovation district’s ongoing art and culture plan.
“This phenomenal new artwork highlights Lot Fourteen’s continuing focus on creating magnetic, cultural and engaging places for those who work and visit our innovation district,” says Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency.
“This striking mural will stop people in their tracks and draw them into our Australian Space Discovery Centre where we can inspire our next generation about how they can contribute to a brighter Australia – no matter what their interests or skills.”
To view the mural, enter Lot Fourteen via North Terrace and walk towards the back of the McEwin Building, which houses the Australian Space Discovery Centre.
Connect with Laura on Instagram for more.
