Galara Sculpture

October 25, 2024

Artist: Nicole Monks
Designers: mili mili
Location: Redfern, NSW

Partridge was commissioned by mili mili, on behalf of Indigenous artist Nicole Monks, to design the structural framework and fixings for a large Aboriginal spear sculpture, a key feature of the Wee Hur Regent Street student accommodation project in Redfern. Galara – meaning ‘fish harpoon’ from Dharug language – stands approximately 36 meters tall, and symbolises the deep connection First Nations people have with the waterways that once flowed through the region.

Originally intended to be made of fiberglass, we collaborated with Monks to transition the material to aluminium in order to comply with fire safety regulations. One of the major engineering challenges involved the sculpture’s six-meter-long slender prongs, which were subject to significant wind loads due to the structure’s height. To address this, we moved away from a traditional freestanding cantilever design and introduced discrete intermediate fixings at about one-third of the spear’s height. This solution provided the necessary stability and ensured the long-term durability of the sculpture.

The project enhances the aesthetic appeal of the Wee Hur Regent Street development while honouring the area’s Indigenous heritage, combining both engineering innovation and cultural significance.

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