Role: Public Art Curator

Development: Caption by Hyatt Hotel, Sydney

Client: LFG Property Group for Hyatt Hotel Corporation

As public art curator for this first Caption by Hyatt Hotel in Sydney, Amanda developed an artist brief that required artists to respond to this vibrant Haymarket context in Sydney’s CBD. She researched and proposed artist ideas from whom three international and Australian artists of Asian descent were shortlisted to provide concepts. Hiromi Tango was selected for her beautiful Peony Dream artwork concept to proceed to commission.

Peony Dream is an extraordinary artwork responding to the idea of a hotel and the surrounding Haymarket context. Her most ambitious public artwork to date, Tango transforms her well-known bound cloth sculptures into beautiful coloured cast aluminium forms that suggest trails of foliage and colourful blossums interspersed with large golden peonies.  The original sculptural forms are cast from clothes and materials that hold memory and emotion donated to the artist from the local community. They are then transformed through her creative practice into sculptures imbued with a sense of human connection and wellbeing. Like ivy, the artwork covers a section of the hotel façade in and around windows and planters containing species relevant to Asian cultures. The artwork symbolises prosperity, loyalty, joy, courage and love. The sculptural forms sit against a a golden background reminiscent of Asian lacquer painting that acts as a framing device to bring art, plants and people in the windows together in one ‘artwork’.

Hiromi Tango is one of Australia’s most important artists. Her practice ruminates upon the human condition and arts ability to heal. Her well-known art series, the Hiromi Hotel, references the historical meaning of the word hotel as a place of respite and nurturing, and she provides this artwork for Caption by Hyatt Hotel with the same legacy in mind. In her words, “Peony Dream is a celebration of the vibrant cultural life of Haymarket, particularly the strong and dynamic connections across Asia. Two ideas that are central to this work are the hotel as a place of nurturing and care, and the shared connection humans have with nature that can bridge across cultures, languages and belief systems.”

The peony is considered one of the most beautiful flowers in Japan, China and across many Asian cultures – and gold is highly significant in Japanese Buddhism.  “Gilt highlights recall the tradition of byōbu painting (decorative folding screens) and echo the use of gold in architecture and decorative arts across Asia. Gold is an important material in many cultures, cherished for its enduring brilliance. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, gold signifies purity, light and freedom. I am fascinated by the prevalence and significance of gold in other cultures – particularly across Asia. As I grow older and living longer, nearly 25 yeas in Australia as a Japanese migrant, I seek to better understand the spiritual dimensions of wellbeing and Asian cultural background. I am rediscovering many of the practices taught to me by my grandmothers and mother.”

Peony Dream reflects upon the way that nature renews Tango’s personal sense of belonging to place. It also alludes to the hope, courage and strength required to embark on a journey of migration. Her art is a gift to the public, to lift the spirits, provide joy, and remind us of our own profound collective connection through a shared discovery and love of nature. “As a migrant who has now spent more than half my life in Australia, I am constantly aware of my position as someone who has arrived on these shores from another place. In my search for a sense of belonging in this place, I continually return to nature as the sustaining force that bonds humanity. My hope is that others will find a sense of joy and discovery as they explore the work – celebrating both the aspects of our many cultures that make each of us unique, as well as realising our profound connections through shared nature.”

As public art curator Amanda continues to work closely with Hiromi Tango and her team and the client LFG to drive, facilitate and manage the artwork development through to completion.

Artist Representation: Sullivan + Strumpf Gallery

Images: Hiromi Tango