The Northbridge Arch, a sculpture commissioned by the City of Perth as part of the Northbridge Piazza project, is being removed due to rust after 14 years of being in place. The artist, Lorenna Grant, was informed that the city did not have the funds to repair the Arch despite her proposals for remediation. Grant believes that the Arch only needed regular maintenance and washing with a high-pressure hose and soap to prevent deterioration. She was motivated to speak out after learning that the city had allocated $250,000 for the transportation and installation of a new sculpture from America.
Grant’s campaign to have her work restored and returned to Northbridge has gained support from art consultant Helen Curtis and others who feel that the city should have taken better care of the Arch. Curtis criticized the City of Perth’s approach to art conservation and highlighted the importance of preserving works unless there is a valid reason for removal. The current situation, with the Arch sitting near the coast in a storage facility, raises questions about the city’s handling of public art and collection management.
Despite the City of Perth’s decision to move the Arch to a temporary storage facility in North Coogee, support for the restoration and reinstatement of the sculpture has been growing. Pictures of the fallen Arch in the beachside storage facility shocked councillors and led to a motion for the city to explore options for restoring the Arch and other artworks in storage. The situation has sparked community outrage and calls for a review of the city’s public art strategy.
Grant, while distressed by the sight of her work far from its original location, is heartened by the outpouring of support from the arts community. The community’s response to the removal of the Northbridge Arch has shown that people care about public art and will vocalize their concerns when necessary. The City of Perth has yet to provide further comment on the situation, leaving the future of the Arch and other artworks in storage uncertain. Grant’s campaign and the community’s advocacy demonstrate the impact of public art and the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
