Australian artist Troy Emery wins art competition for a new sculptural landmark at Melbourne Square.

"I want Guardian Lion to make people happy, to give people a sense of companionship as they travel through the area, like a friendly neighbourhood cat that greets passers-by. Guardian Lion is a surrogate pet for the neighbourhood and the city."

"One part of the brief that I particularly resonated with was the idea that Melbourne Square is a 'gateway to the creative precinct.' The NGV, Arts Centre, VCA, ACCA, and Malthouse Theatre are all close neighbours, and the work's location is a gateway to the CBD, so I set out to design a figure to welcome people to the area."

"The intense spectrum of colour in the work not only is an antidote to the greys and browns of the cityscape but serves to reiterate the fantastical spectrum of the natural world, where the intense colours represent the magical qualities of life on earth." - Troy Emery

Our Brisbane UAP team has overseen the entire competition process, beginning with our consultancy team defining a detailed Curatorial Vision titled 'Together, in Nature'. Troy Emery's winning concept, 'Guardian Lion,' beautifully merges traditional Chinese architecture with Japanese symbolism. Drawing inspiration from lions and dog-guarding shrines, Emery's work symbolises strength and resilience. Get ready to be captivated by the powerful narrative behind this extraordinary piece.

We're excited to partner with Emery on this commission for OSK Property's Melbourne Square development in South Bank. Last week, our team joined OSK Property clients and the City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece to celebrate this milestone.

Stay tuned as we bring this project to life in our Brisbane workshop. It is set for installation by late 2024!