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The role of public art in the City of Ryde | Arts and Cultural Development at Brush Farm House
Arts and cultural activities and products are the life blood of a vital city. Cities built on a strong tradition of the arts are recognised for their attractive, robust, and vibrant cultural life. They have environments defined by interesting spaces, festivals, performances and public art creating an atmosphere of excitement and discovery.
Local engagement and participation in these cities is strong, where citizens benefit not only from the creative experience of doing and being around art, but from people taking an active part in their own development and community life.
Through the arts these cities provide opportunities for self-expression, creativity and imagination, essential to personal growth, self-confidence, health and wellbeing. They bring people together creating social networks, cooperation and social cohesion. They provide a setting for the exchange, tolerance and respect of diverse values and cultures.
Local creative talents and skills are grown and sharpened through participation in the arts for their own sake, toward the pursuit of excellence or employment. New creative talents are attracted to a city with a strong arts scene. Arts products and services contribute to the growth of the economy.
The City of Ryde recognises the importance of a vibrant and robust arts and cultural life and is playing a leading role in developing and supporting those resources to maximise the impact arts can have on City life.
To meet the arts and cultural development needs of its citizens in a prioritised fashion and to ensure resources are allocated in an effective and efficient manner, the City of Ryde has developed a strategic arts plan.
The City of Ryde Arts Development Framework 2007 - 2012 is the result of extended consultation with community groups, artists, business, education agencies and locals with an interest in the arts. As the strategic arts plan for the City it provides a Framework that will guide the actions and projects that will be listed and reported through the annual Management Planning process.
The City of Ryde Arts Development Framework 2007 - 2012 marks an exciting chapter in the cultural life of the City.
There are many exciting arts and cultural activities in the City of Ryde. To find out more, click on the following links.
For any further information about the arts and cultural program in the City of Ryde, please contact Paul Graham on 9952 8312 or 0434 306 447.
The role of public art in the City of Ryde?
Public art has been used for centuries as a commemorative medium taking the form of monuments, statues and allegorical figures. The influence of modern art has resulted in a move away from the figurative and commemoration to public art that is interpretive and complementary to the urban environment.
Public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is acquired through public or private funding. It can be in an outdoor location or in a publicly accessible building. It can be part of a building or freestanding. The forms that public art can take are diverse, and decisions about the art form to be used and the style of the artwork take into account the site, context and desired functions of the artwork.
Because public art is by its nature creative and flexible in its approach tight definitions are unproductive. Public art can take the form of sculpture, mural, manhole cover, paving pattern, lighting, seating, building facade, fencing, water feature, engraving, carving, fresco, collage and mosaic. It can be environmentally responsive and take the form of sculptural work, wind or water features, and artist designed earthworks using raw materials or plantings. It can be film, digital images or photographic projections, billboards, custom design floor treatments, glasswork, signage, or sound installations.
Public art is located in public spaces such as parks, streets, town squares and public buildings, but also private developments. New development has an important role in the provision public art, and local government plays a part in directing this work through its development control process.
Public art has broad benefits for the City of Ryde. It can be used to celebrate our local social and cultural heritage, celebrate contemporary life, explore community identities and establish a mood for city spaces. It can create a landmark that promotes an image or identity for the City, and attract and enliven pedestrian experiences. Public art can connect people and place and build a sense of belonging. It can be a destination in itself, creating a place for play, reflection and rejuvenation.
The idea for the original Ryde cenotaph was born in 1966 when RSL Sub Branch members and local Aldermen came together and identified the need for a memorial to perpetuate the memory of Australian Soldiers that have participated in various theatres of war.
Located a short distance from the Civic Centre, the cenotaph was officially dedicated on the 16 April 1967. Made from granite and set on a stepped granite dais, it carried the insignia of the three armed services together with the words "LEST WE FORGET". The central feature being an eternal flame set in a bronze bowl.
Construction works in the civic precinct in 2007 necessitated finding a location for a new cenotaph.
A design team consisting of representatives from the local RSL Sub Branches and project artists was formed to determine an appropriate location and develop a cenotaph design.
The brief that surfaced from the first few meetings emphasised that the new cenotaph should be in a prominent location close to Top Ryde Town Centre, accessible to the public and noticeable by passing traffic. The design of the cenotaph was to honour the tradition of the Unknown Soldier, but also have a modern design aesthetic that would interest younger generations.
After analysing the suitability of a number of locations Ryde Park was selected as a desirable location, and several team meetings later a design for the new cenotaph was achieved.
The new cenotaph cradles a central obelisk in granite pointing towards eleven o¡¦clock. A permanent shadow in the granite paving engraves the history of service by men and women stretching the imprint of the obelisk to the insignia wall. Within the body of the obelisk a light source evokes the eternal flame. This memorial as a formal threshold to Ryde Park is energised both by ceremony and the everyday circulation of people within its sacred space.
Added to the original three armed services insignia is the Merchant Navy emblem. Granite portions from the original cenotaph have been incorporated as symbolic references. Ryde Park Memorial Cenotaph was rededicated on 20 February 2008 by Reverend Greg Burke from St Anne's Ryde Anglican Church and Father Paul Monkerud from St Charles Borromeo Parish Ryde, and opened by Councillor Ivan Petch, Mayor City of Ryde.
 Project Partners: North Ryde, Ryde, Gladesville and Eastwood RSL Sub Branches.
Project Funding: City of Ryde and Beville Group - Top Ryde City
Project Artists: Milne and Stonehouse
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Wind Vanes Shepherds Bay
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Ryde Park Rotunda
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Ryde Park Rotunda |
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Arts and Cultural Development at Brush Farm House
Brush Farm House is now an important part of the City of Ryde’s arts and cultural development.
Gallery space
A large portion of the House is dedicated gallery space and is available to local artists, organisations and schools to hold exhibitions throughout the year.
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Policy and Guidelines
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Gallery Layout
Workshop space
The large hall at the rear of the House is available for hire and is ideal for a range of arts and cultural development activities including art classes and concerts. The hall can accommodate up to 72 people and features a wet space, large sink, audio visual equipment and electronic white board. To check out what’s happening at Brush Farm House click on to ‘What’s New’.
For more information about Brush Farm House please call Paul Graham on 9952 8312.
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