Judy Darragh

In the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the atrium of the Sudima Auckland City Hotel is now home to a permanent artwork unlike any other in Aotearoa. Ether is an 11-metre-long inflatable sculpture by artist Judy Darragh. It is suspended high above the reception space, filling it with colour, light, and energy.

Known for her fearless use of materials and joyful visual language, Judy Darragh drew inspiration from the sunset views seen from the hotel’s rooftop bar Sunset. Facing westward over the Waitematā Harbour and the Waitākere Ranges, the sky often explodes into a spectrum of colour, an experience that Judy sought to capture and hold still within Ether.

To bring this concept to life, our Brisbane team collaborated closely with Judy and Deborah McCormick Consulting (DMC) to oversee design, fabrication, and delivery. Beginning with a 3D scan of the artist’s original model, our design team developed the sculpture as a digitally engineered inflatable. The form was patterned and fabricated using custom-printed materials in fluorescent reds, yellows, and purples. It is fitted with internal lighting, including three PAR 18 LEDs and two 10-metre LED strips, to ensure it always glows. The work also includes a built-in fan which was carefully tested in our workshop before being packed and transported.

Ether is visible from the street, the hotel’s lobby and bar, and from within its acclaimed East restaurant. It lights up at night, welcoming guests and passersby alike with an unexpected moment of joy.

The artwork is the result of a collaborative vision: Artist: Judy Darragh, Commissioner: Sudima Hotel, Curator/Producer: Deborah McCormick Consulting (DMC), Design & Fabrication: UAP. Together, we have brought this concept to life, capturing a sunset and suspending it in the air.